We’re still here, say police of town base
POLICE in Southport have issued a categorical rebuttal to persistent claims that the town’s police station is closed and no officers are based in the area.
The erroneous claims have been made frequently ever since the custody suites at Southport were closed in 2014 and have become more frequent as officers numbers have been slashed across the borough due to government cuts across recent years.
Criticisms of there being ‘no police in Southport’ are frequently made on social media despite the force regularly publishing photographs, maps and explanations of the patrols carried out.
The force issued a renewed denial of those claims and is calling on residents to help spread that message.
A spokesman said: “Southport Police Station is an operational police station. It is home to the North Sefton Local Policing Team, led by the Inspector of Local Policing, three sergeants and the police officers and Police Community Support & Traffic Officers (PCSO’s) who start and finish all their shifts at Southport police station.
“The North Sefton Policing Team covers the area from the border with Lancashire Constabulary at Banks, to
Hightown and Lunt. Hub 1 cover the area of Crosby, Bootle, Maghull etc.
“Each ward in the borough has its own dedicated police officers and PCSOs, who your local councillors will be aware of and be in contact with. Many local residents know their own dedicated officers very well.
“Some have been working in the same area, and based at Southport police station for the last 15 years, and continue to do so.”
The force explained that as well as the local policing team, ‘Response and Resolution’ patrols are allocated to Southport and Formby 24 hours a day, while Southport police atation is used by PCs and PCSOs every day.
Reduced opening hours to the enquiry office do not impact the hours during which the station is used by officers and were instead a response to the falling number of visits made by members of the public.
The spokesman added: “Police officers and PCSOs do not wait in police stations to respond to calls. We respond from wherever we are.
“That means we could be anywhere across our patrol area when calls come in and this, along with the number and details of other incidents taking place will affect our response times.
“Please support your local policing team by challenging people who continue to post inaccurate information, which is counter-productive to our mission of preventing crime, protecting people and pursing offenders.’’
DOMESTIC abuse victims are being urged to become familiar with an option within the 999 system that allows them to call for help without speaking.
The warning comes amid fears the enforced period of social distancing could result in a rise in abuse within households.
Merseyside Police says it is committed to keeping everyone safe and understands that vulnerable people will be additionally concerned about the prospect of staying at home for a number of reasons, including those who have been the victims of domestic abuse.
The force urges everyone to become familiar with the part of the 999 system which allows for people who are not free to speak but are able to make a noise or press 55 to get help. The system enables all 999 callers to access support in the manner described but it is important that a noise is made or that 55 is pressed.
For example, if a caller can only make noise, such as tapping the handset, coughing, crying or even talking to the offender, these actions will alert the attention of the BT operator.
Detective Supt Sue Coombs, from Protecting Vulnerable People, said: “There is no suggestion that there has been a rise in the number of calls in relation to domestic abuse on Merseyside but we aware that we are currently in unprecedented and challenging times and that people may feel particularly concerned about the circumstances they currently find themselves in.
“We want to be able to relieve some of that concern by reassuring people that domestic abuse remains a priority for the force and our specially trained officers will continue to be there for people to offer help and support and to investigate allegations of abuse thoroughly and professionally.
“We would always advise that if someone is in immediate danger they should dial 999 and speak to an operator but we also accept that in times such as this when households are selfisolating that openly speaking is not always an option.
“The Silent Solution is a service which means a vulnerable person can call 999 and alert us, without making a sound, that they need our help and we will respond.
“If they do not want to contact the police at this time then I would urge people not to remain quiet but to get support from other agencies or speak to friends and family about what is happening.”
A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “Our message to anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse could not be more clear.
“You are not alone and you don’t have to suffer in silence – we are always here to offer help and support to anyone who needs it.
“Sefton are working with multiple partners including Merseyside Police and providers of domestic abuse support across Merseyside and we will continue to work togethe for anyone affected by domestic abuse.”
If you have any non-urgent information on domestic abuse – if you are a victim or believe someone you know is a victim – you can contact direct message @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or contact @ CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Further support can also be found at these national agencies:
Women’s Aid | womensaid.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours) https://www.womensaid. org.uk/information-support/
Refuge (includes information for men) | refuge.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)
National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)