This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police news in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Girl who died in M53 coach crash named
The family of a 15-year-old girl who died following a road traffic collision on the M53 in Wirral on Friday 29 September have issued a photograph of her.
Jessica Baker sadly died as a result of the collision on the M53 northbound carriageway on Friday.
The other casualties who were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries are all in stable conditions.
Family pay tribute to man who died in M53 coach crash
The family of a bus driver who sadly died on Friday 29 September, in a fatal road traffic collision on the M53 in Wirral have issued a tribute.
Stephen Shrimpton, aged 40, passed away after it was reported that a bus had struck a reservation near Junction 5 and overturned.
An investigation into this incident is ongoing and police are still appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage.
Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage following M53 school bus crash
Merseyside Police is continuing to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage following a fatal road traffic collision on the M53 in Wirral on Friday 29 September.
Just after 8am, police received a report that a bus had struck a reservation around Junction 5 and overturned.
In total 58 people were involved in the incident.
Man involved in Wirral petrol station shooting jailed for 29 years
A Wirral man has been jailed for 24 years after being found guilty of involvement in an injury shooting, conspiracy to sell prohibited weapons and playing a significant role in the supply of large quantities of Class A and B drugs.
John Lewis, aged 23, of Woodchurch, was found guilty of conspiracy to sell weapons, namely a Taurus Special 38 revolver, a Skorpion Machine Pistol, and a Mannlicher 9mm semi-automatic pistol, at a trial at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced on Thursday 28 September 2023.
Lewis was also found guilty of conspiring with David Delap to supply cocaine, heroin, and cannabis following an investigation by detectives involved in Operation Venetic – an international investigation into the use of a mobile encryption service, commonly referred to as Encrochat.
Cannabis farm in Wallasey shut down
At around 2.30pm on Tuesday 26 September, officers attended a property on Poulton Road, Wallasey and discovered up to 100 cannabis plants.
The electricity meter had been breached without authority and Scottish Power attended and made the electrics safe to enable disposal of the equipment used and negate any further risk.
Neighbourhood Inspector Sharon Robinson said, “The dangers posed by cannabis farms and abstracting electricity illegally in this manner poses a serious risk of fire to residents living nearby, especially when criminals interfering with the wiring and overloading plugs.”
Police want to close Birkenhead bar following multiple violent incidents
Police want to close a bar a man once threatened to smash up with snooker balls.
Sue’s Bar on Argyle Street in Birkenhead is subject to a licence review after a request was made by Merseyside Police due to “serious incidents and violent disorder occurring at the premises as well as frequent breaches of the conditions attached to the Premises Licence.”
At a Wirral Council licensing hearing on 21 September, the police argued the licence for the bar should be revoked, though the bar manager Susan McIlroy had told the council in an email that she planned to close the bar anyway.
Next of kin appeal – Christopher Bakalarski
Can you help trace the next-of-kin of a person from Wirral who has passed away?
Liverpool and Wirral Coroner’s office is appealing for help to find the next-of-kin of a Wirral man who has sadly died.
Christopher Bakalarski, 75 years, died at his home address on Spital Road on Friday 22 September.
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
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