Sew far, sew good for mask-maker
TWO off-road motorbikes were stolen on a night which saw sheds broken into and doorbell cameras targeted by thieves.
The bikes were stolen from a home in Churchtown, Southport, in the early hours of Saturday morning last week and police have now warned those living nearby to take extra precautions to keep their property safe.
The theft happened near to the Lancashire border so officers from Merseyside are working with their Lancashire counterparts after complaints that bikes were being ridden anti-socially through Tarleton, West Lancashire, around a similar time.
Police investigating the thefts say their enquiries have led them to learn that more sheds were broken into on Cambridge Avenue that night. Tools were also stolen from a shed on nearby Radnor Drive at a similar time and officers say the incidents may be related.
Three days later, thieves tried and failed to steal a car from nearby Bibby Road at 1.30am and tampered with a doorbell camera during the process. This is believed to be one of a number of examples of such cameras being targeted, though police say they have not received any further reports and are asking anyone affected to do so.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Clearly, thieves are actively looking for cars/ vans left unlocked on driveways in the area.
“So please be sure you have locked your vehicle before leaving it parked up for the night. Always remove any items of value before leaving it, and consider additional methods of securing your vehicle, such as steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, driveway posts etc.
“Patrols will, of course, give extra attention to the area over the forthcoming evenings.”
A HESKETH Bank woman has been hailed a hero by her colleagues for raising money making face masks during the first lockdown, which went on to fund items for local schools.
Margaret Harper, 75, is a member of Hesketh Bank and Tartleton Helpers, who are a group of people who came together to reach out to those in need in Hesketh Bank, Tarleton and Banks as Covid-19 hit.
They have been the driving force behind several interventions such as food parcels, a delivery service and an essential support/advice newsletter, called Helping Hands, which has been translated into several languages to make it accessible to migrant workers.
Margaret was part of a group of keen sewers who set to work making face masks and successfully raised £300 from hers, which was then offered to the primary schools in Hesketh Bank and Tarleton.
Headteacher at Tarleton Community Primary School, Chris Upton, said: “The kind offer came at a time when we were looking to get Tonieboxes with characters for our Early Years children, which Santa agreed to deliver before Christmas, and were very well received.”
Headteacher at All Saints Primary School in Hesketh Bank, Michelle Ward, also welcomed the offer saying: “We wanted to purchase headphones for the school Chromebooks to enable children to access individual support programmes, which has been extremely helpful.”
Margaret was thanked in return with a suitably apt box of Heroes chocolates.