This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Wirral man jailed for possessing indecent images of children
A Wirral man was jailed on Tuesday 26 July, for making and possessing indecent images of children.
George Williams, aged 72, of New Ferry, was sentenced to 20 months after admitting three counts of making indecent images of children, possession of prohibited images and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He was also handed a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Police warn of spike in motorcycle theft
Wirral police officers have warned of an increase in motorcycle theft.
A police spokesperson said, “We have noticed an increase in thefts of motorbikes in and around the Noctorum area. Motorbikes are being stolen in the early hours of the morning and we would advise all motorbike owners to be vigilant.
“Please ensure they are locked secure and any other security (such as alarms) are to be used if possible.”
Liscard man who died in collision in Liverpool named
A man who sadly died following a road traffic incident in Vauxhall in the early hours of Sunday morning, 24 July, has been named as 19-year-old Nathan Smithurst of Liscard.
Officers were contacted just before 2.30am to reports of a collision involving a taxi and a pedestrian on Scotland Road.
Nathan suffered a serious head injury and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Abandoned car removed from Thingwall road
Officers from Wallasey came across this abandoned, uninsured and untaxed vehicle without valid MOT during their patrol in Thingwall.
A police spokesperson said, “Please make sure you have a valid insurance and MOT before setting off into any journey, no matter how big or small.”
West Kirby pupils become mini British Transport Police officers
Budding bobbies at two Merseyside schools have officially enrolled as mini British Transport Police officers.
The pupils, at West Kirby Residential School and Pleasant Street Primary School in Liverpool city centre completed an intensive training period which saw them issued with notebooks, warrant cards and high visibility vests before a passing out ceremony in front of friends and family.
The scheme, the first of its kind for BTP, was chosen to pilot in Wirral and Liverpool, and was enthusiastically welcomed by all the children and teaching staff who took part.
Leasowe United Community Cafe event set for August
Community groups or individuals are invited to apply for up to £5000 funding in the upcoming Merseyside Police Leasowe United Participatory Budget event on the 19th of October 2022.
A police spokesperson said, “We will be running our next ‘Leasowe United’ Community Café event at the Leasowe Millennium Centre on Twickenham Drive on Thursday 4 of August 2022 between 12:00 and 15:00 Hrs.
“Representatives from Merseyside Police, Prima Housing and Wirral Council will be available to provide more information and assist applicants in completing their applications.”
To request further information/application form please e-mail: LeasoweUnitedPB@merseyside.police.uk 
80 youngsters take part in community football tournament in Beechwood
Young footballers showed off their pitch skills in a community football tournament in Wirral organised by local police officers and partners.
More than 80 young people took part in the Beechwood Football Tournament on the playing fields of Manor Primary School in Birkenhead on Monday 25 July.
The event was organised by officers from Bebington Local Police Team and partner organisations, while Tranmere Rovers player Chris Merrie congratulated and awarded trophies, t-shirts and medals to the winning teams.
NW Motorway Police lane hogging warning
NW Motorway Police has warned drivers about lane-hogging on motorways.
In a number of posts on social media, they showed images of cars hogging lane 2 (the centre lane) and cars that had been stopped after failing to move into the correct lane.
The rule for lane discipline on motorways is simple: “You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
For regular crime and police-related updates, please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/crimewatchwirral
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