Wirral's independent local news website
This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
A man from Ellesmere Port who was found to be using his mobile phone to deal drugs has been sentenced.
Connah Rutledge came to the police’s attention as part of their commitment to disrupt drug dealing in the town.
It led to the 26-year-old’s mobile number being identified and found to be used as a graft phone to send messages to multiple people advertising the sale of crack cocaine and heroin.
Read more …
While officers from TeamBeb were on patrol, a member of the public alerted them to a large-scale fight occurring on the Woodlands, Birkenhead.
Officers arrived at the scene and entered a property under concern for the occupant at the address.
A large quantity of suspected Class A drugs were located inside the property. Three males have been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has joined all police chiefs from across the country in supporting a collective decision – for police officers to attend all residential burglary reports.
This reflects the longstanding approach in Merseyside to a crime that we have always considered to be terribly intrusive and upsetting for victims.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley, at Merseyside Police said, “Both the current Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, and her predecessor, Andy Cooke, have taken a tough stance on burglary. The force is committed to tackling burglary by not only maximising every opportunity to gather evidence, identify offenders and put them before the courts, but also through its partnership approach to prevention.”
Last week, police officers from TeamWallasey attended four local primary schools to deliver a project in conjunction with Sale Sharks Community Trust and Birkenhead Park RFC.
The pupils engaged in a workshop with one of their local police officers, touching on subjects such as anti-social behaviour, mobile phone misuse, theft, knife crime, exploitation, and substance misuse. This provided pupils with information about certain topics, empowering them to make positive choices in the future.
Sale Sharks Community Trust ran a rugby workshop to introduce pupils to Rugby and the TREDS principles (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship). The pupils had the opportunity to play rugby and were made aware of the benefits of having a hobby and keeping themselves occupied. Staff from Birkenhead Park RFC were present, giving students the chance to register their interest at local rugby clubs.
The schools visited were Overchurch Junior School in Upton, St Michael & All Angels R C Aided Primary School in Woodchurch, Dawpool Primary School in Thurstaston, and Great Meols Primary School.
A former Merseyside Police officer accused of punching a man would have been dismissed without notice if he had not already resigned.
Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), an independently chaired panel found gross misconduct proven against former PC Sam Kane. The standards breached were use of force, discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and duties and responsibilities.
A two-day hearing organised by the force concluded on Tuesday 4 October and found the officer to have used unnecessary and disproportionate force on the man who was on hospital premises.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner has started the search for a Deputy to join her small team.
Emily Spurrell has launched a recruitment drive to find an “experienced and dedicated individual” to take up the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.
The successful candidate will work alongside the Commissioner to deliver her Police and Crime Plan for Merseyside and be able to deputise for her, when necessary, while also leading on a number of vital areas of policing and community safety.
Dean Smith, who worked alongside Dean Anderson to distribute multi-kilos of heroin, cocaine and cannabis, has been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.
The 27-year-old, of Ellesmere Port, used the Encro chat handle ‘Swampmaster’ and was the direct supplier to Mark Cavanagh and Michael Hailwood.
Alongside Anderson, and independently, Smith was found to have distributed 8kg of heroin, 19kg of cocaine and 30kg of cannabis nationally and into Scotland.
Tranmere Rovers in the Community has been working with Merseyside Police in visiting local primary schools to deliver thought-provoking workshops to help challenge young people’s preconceptions and raise awareness of child criminal exploitation.
The latest workshop saw TRIC travel to Riverside Primary School in Seacombe, working with seven Key Stage Two pupils who engaged excellently in discussions and role play scenarios.
The workshops tie in with TRIC’s six after-school sport sessions, offering a positive alternative to antisocial behaviour with fun and engaging sessions delivered by our community staff who act as mentors, keeping them safe from negative influences from outside of school and helping with their overall wellbeing.
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
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