Knowsley Online

Huyton woman jailed for benefit fraud

A woman who fraudulently claimed more than £35,000 in benefits has been jailed, following a joint investigation by Knowsley Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Marion Cassidy, 31, of Ashbourne Crescent, Huyton, pleaded guilty to four counts of benefit fraud at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court on July 21.

Cassidy admitted failing to declare that her partner had been living at her home since December 2003 and that she had also carried out six weeks work at a bingo hall.

As a result she was overpaid Housing Benefit totalling £13,040, Council Tax Benefit totalling £2,122.24 and Income Support totalling £19,875.49.

Cllr Norman Keats, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Finance & IT, said: “The result of this prosecution should send a clear message to everyone that Knowsley will not tolerate benefit cheats and those caught will be placed before the courts.

“We work closely with the DWP to share information about those suspected of fraud and to gather evidence for prosecutions.

“The reason we take such a hard line is because we realise that every pound which goes into a fraudsters pocket is a pound that could have been spent on schools, sports centres, parks, and other facilities that benefit the whole community.

”I would encourage anyone who is claiming benefit and has a change of circumstances to declare this at the earliest opportunity.”
After the case, Roy Paul, DWP Fraud Operations Manager said: “The sentence in this case clearly illustrates the serious nature of the offence and the consequences of committing benefit fraud.

“In addition, the Department will now seek full reimbursement of the money fraudulently obtained. This is an excellent example of our success at tackling benefit fraud when we work closely with our colleagues at Knowsley Council.

“Benefit fraud is a crime – no ifs, no buts. Benefit cheats take money intended for the most vulnerable in our society. The public rightly get angry about such anti-social behaviour, and with their support our skilled investigators will track down the fraudsters”.

Anyone with information about benefit fraud in Knowsley can call the Council’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 073 0532. If you need to inform Knowsley Council

Kirkby's got talent!

The inspirational talent contest craze has finally hit the heart of Kirkby with KIRKBYS GOT TALENT. This is a new venture commissioned by Phil Halliwell from In Shops and has the town talking.

“I wanted to do something big and bring people in to see what a great centre of quality services we have under one roof. Having activities like this gives us a chance to celebrate our community”

Staged within In Shops and free for all participants, this event will undoubtedly be a success and collaboration with Gill Beattie of Arts2u and Premier Studios, has brought new opportunities. “Working with professional artists and companies there are lots of networks who share the same goal, to give talented people a chance.

The participants that apply and do not make the finals might be involved in other projects” The winner will receive a cash prize of £150 from Brittania Fleet in Knowlsey, which they hope will be used towards further training or materials.

The talent contestant heats are held 11th and 12th August within In Shops.

The finals will be a cult performance at the Liverpool Fringe Festival staged within the bombed out church, Bold Street. From circus skills, singing to dance routines if you think that you can represent Knowsley this summer get yourself down there to sign up.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.premierstudios.org.uk or pick one up at the shopping centre itself. Closing date is Wednesday 6th August, you can only participate if you have applied.

To find out more call 0151 284 7067 or visit www.premierstudios.org.uk

Crackdown on underage drinking in Knowsley

The Safer Knowsley Partnership is urging licensees and parents in Knowsley to support them in their drive to reduce drinking on the streets and cut down on incidents of alcohol-related crime amongst young people.

The Partnership, which consists of a number of partner agencies including Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside Police Authority and Knowsley Primary Care Trust, is reiterating this message, as they step up their work in the borough over the coming months to prevent under-age sales.

The Partnership is aiming to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and alcohol fuelled crime, which is often associated when young people and alcohol mix.  Securing the support of licensees and parents is crucial to the success of this campaign.

By parents refusing to buy alcohol for their under-age teenagers and licensees adhering to the law and refusing to sell to youngsters, they can play an important part in helping to prevent irresponsible drinking, which in turn can lead to anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion commented “While the majority of licensees and parents are completely responsible, there are some who are supply young people with alcohol. This has to stop.”

“As well as the legal consequences of drinking underage and the negative health effects on young people, a particular area of concern is the vulnerability of young people when under the influence of alcohol.”

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate & Customer Services added: “Officers from our Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Team will be carrying out test purchases across the borough throughout the coming months.

“This type of work has proved to be valuable deterrent and has also helped us root out a minority of irresponsible licensees who deliberately flout the law. Equally though, we realise that businesses do need support from time to time and if anyone out there would like help and advice on complying with the law, they can contact us.”

The Safer Knowsley Partnership uses a number of initiatives including test purchasing, high-visibility patrols, particularly in the borough’s parks and open spaces, and alcohol confiscations to clampdown on the problem of underage drinking.  Young people found in possession of alcohol could be referred to Knowsley’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit. 

In addition, their parents will be informed of their behaviour.  Robust action will be taken against irresponsible licensees and adults who are buying alcohol for young people, including arrest and being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (£80 fine).

Wags on parade in Kirkby

Dog owners from throughout Kirkby are invited to a fantastic fun day on August 30.

The Kirkby Wags event will host a variety of activities and entertainment for dog owners and their pets. Highlights include a dog display team, dog show, free/low cost microchipping and free nail clipping for dogs.

The RSPCA and Dogs Trust will be there and there will also be free giveaways, educational activities, competitions and fun and games for all the family.

Brought to you by North Kirkby Partnership Board, the event takes place at the rear of Moorfield Shops, Towerhill, between 12pm and 4pm.

All dogs are welcome at the event, but must be kept on a lead.

Reducing the availability of drugs in Knowsley

The Safer Knowsley Partnership's tough offensive on drug crime is yielding huge successes in Knowsley with more than 200 warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act and over 150 arrests across the Borough in the last 18 months.

The Partnership, which includes Merseyside Police Authority, Merseyside Police, Knowsley Council, Knowsley Primary Care Trust and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, is ensuring a sustained and targeted attack on illegal drugs and is taking criminals off the streets. In addition, young people are being educated on the dangers of drugs and support is provided to individuals, their families and friends who have been affected by drugs.

As well as the warrants and arrests, Police Officers in Knowsley, working with the Safer Knowsley Partnership, has:-

• Seized over £160,000 cash
• Seized drugs with a street value of over £1,200,000
• Assisted Knowsley Housing Trust in the eviction of 6 tenants from addresses across the Borough associated with drug activity
• From April 2007 to date, over 4000 calls to Crimestoppers have been received regarding drugs and other crime related activity
• As of March 2008, over 1300 people accessed drug treatment programmes.  
• As part of the on-going support for drug users, Knowsley has developed the 'test on arrest' provision. If a person is arrested for one of a number of offences, such as burglary or vehicle crime, they will be drug tested. If they test positive, they will be required to engage in treatment services.

Chief Inspector John Holmes commented "We have had tremendous success over the last few years and our continued action is reassuring local people that the Safer Knowsley Partnership is serious about tackling the illegal drugs market and prosecuting offenders. Police have been able to put strong case files together and, with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service, we have ensured that a substantial number of people have been brought to justice. With the public's help, we aim to build on these successes and put more offenders before the courts."

Councillor Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion added "Drug activity is an issue which can and does affect individuals, families and blights communities. Community information plays a huge part in our work. It enables us to understand the scale of the problem, target our resources and crack down on street level drug dealing - and it's working."

If you have any information about drug activities in your neighbourhood, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Information and support regarding drug services can be obtained from the Drug Intervention Programme on 0151 480 5398.

Challenge and support project launched in Knowsley

Extra support to prevent anti social behaviour is now available in Knowsley.

The borough's Challenge and Support Project has been introduced to work with families and young people involved in anti social behaviour to find out what is most likely to make them stop.

The new team, established with funding from the Youth Task Force, will work within Knowsley Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit. With a number of proven methods available to them, including Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and parenting support, the new team will decide the best way to help offenders change their ways.

Knowsley is one of 52 pilot Challenge and Support areas. It places the focus not only on enforcement action to prevent certain behaviour, but also on support tailored to individuals to tackle the root causes of offending. It ensures that at every stage local services are working together to assess young people's needs, offer appropriate support, and help them change their behaviour.

Help us to make Knowsley more accessible

Knowsley Council is conducting a borough-wide consultation of its Disability Equality Scheme.

The scheme sets out what the Council intends to do for people with disabilities over the next three years and, alongside this, Knowsley is also drawing up action plans to show the work underway to make its services more accessible.

The Council is asking people with disabilities in Knowsley to give their views on how to improve the accessibility of services.

A questionnaire has been produced and if you would like to give your views, it can be completed by: visiting the Knowsley website www.knowsley.gov.uk ; ringing (18001) 0151 443 3773; emailing gwen.forkin@knowsley.gov.uk or texting 07825677135.  The questionnaire is available in large print; BSL; easy read and other languages and formats.

You can call to complete the questionnaire over the phone or you can visit our One Stop Shops where people will be available if you need help.

If you would like a copy of Knowsley’s Disability Equality scheme please visit our website www.knowsley.gov.uk or ring (18001) 0151 443 3773 or email gwen.forkin@knowsley.gov.uk or text 07825677135.

Planning application submitted for Knowsley renewable energy facility

A planning application for a new renewable energy facility at Knowsley Business Park has been submitted to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. 

Plans for the facility, which would be a centre of international excellence for green waste management, can be viewed at the council offices. A copy of the non-technical summary is available online at http://www.energ.co.uk/knowsley

The application has been made by Energos, part of the North West based renewable energy company Ener-g plc. The company plans to invest £40 million in the new facility, which would convert non recyclable waste into green electricity for up to 10,000 homes, as well as heat for local industry.

20 long term skilled jobs would be created at the centre, which would be Energos’ international training centre and an advanced environmental technology showcase site.

Putting the breaks on car crime in Kirkby

Vehicle crime in the Southdene area of Kirkby has reduced by a massive 32% over the last six months, thanks to work between the Safer Knowsley Partnership and local community.

After identifying ‘hotspot’ areas and offenders using crime trends in Southdene, the partnership – which includes Knowsley Council and

Merseyside Police - developed a free Vehicle Safety Pack which was delivered to all homes in the neighbourhood.

The pack provides valuable tips on how to avoid becoming the victim of crime and includes:

• A UV Pen with instructions to mark all valuables with your door number and postcode so that they are traceable in the event of them being stolen
• A warning ‘window hanger’ – which will act as a deterrent to thieve.
• A car crime advice leaflet – offers security tips for motorists.
• A Guide to Home Security

Commercial vehicle owners have also been issued with the pack and advised to remove any tools in their vehicles overnight or when vehicles are left for long periods.

The targeted initiative in the area resulted in the arrest of three men from the Southdene area. A 21-year-old man from Kirkby was subsequently sentenced to eight months in prison in April for burglary, whilst a 20-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, both from Kirkby, are currently in custody charged with burglary.

To support the campaign, Neighbourhood Policing Teams and council wardens provided high visibility patrols in the area providing advice and support as well as a visible deterrent and reassuring presence.

Cllr Jackie Harris, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion said: “This targeted campaign has had a tremendous impact in the Southdene area. However, the Safer Knowsley Partnership will not be complacent and we are committed to reducing vehicle crime even further. By following some simple tips, you can make it harder for car thieves.”

This advice includes:

• Don’t leave anything on display. Remove all items of property when you leave your vehicle including Sat Navs, their mounting cradles and ensure you wipe away 'sucker marks' left on windscreens
• Security mark your property and valuables with your postcode using a UV marker pen
• Consider leaving your glove box open to show that it is empty
• Secure your vehicle with an immobiliser, alarm or tracking device and make sure you use them
• Always keep your vehicle locked. This includes closing the sunroof and windows, even if you only leave it for a few seconds
• When you park, if you have a removable stereo, make sure you remove it and take it with you. Don't leave it in the glove compartment.
• Park in busy or well-lit areas near CCTV cameras

If you have information about crime in your area, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Industrial action affecting Knowsley Council

Two national days of industrial action have been called for Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July by public service workers unions.

This will result in disruption to Knowsley Council services although we are keen to reassure residents that emergency and essential services will be maintained.

There will be no domestic or refuse collection on Wednesday and Thursday and Knowsley’s One Stop Shops will be closed as well as all council-run leisure centres and libraries. All council administration buildings will also be closed to the public.

Some of the borough’s schools will be closed and parents are advised to check with their child’s school for latest position.

Emergency phones lines will be available on both days on 0151 489 6000 and, in order to keep disruption to a minimum, we would ask residents only to contact us in an emergency.

We would ask residents to look out for any elderly or vulnerable neighbours that may need help on this day.

Knowsley Council apologises for any inconvenience caused to our residents and customers.