Knowsley Online

Crackdown on underage drinking in Knowsely

Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards Officers, working with Merseyside Police, are continuing the crackdown on underage drinking as part of its borough-wide ‘Get Real’ campaign.

A joint test purchasing initiative took place on Wednesday, 16 April in off licensed premises in Huyton and Prescot.

A 15 year old volunteer attempted to buy alcohol in five off-licences. In three premises, the sale of alcohol was refused.

Two sales took place and both sellers have been issued with £80 Fixed Penalty Notices for selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years. Both premises will be subject to a licence review and further legal action is being considered.

Trading Standards and Police in Knowsley regularly conduct alcohol test purchase exercises with the assistance of volunteer youngsters acting as the purchaser. Staff that sell to underage people are liable to an £80 on-the-spot fine. Licensees face prosecution and premises can have their licence to sell alcohol revoked.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate & Customer Services commented “As part of our Get Real Campaign, Officers from our Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Team will continue to carry out test purchases across the borough throughout the coming months. We are very pleased that the majority of premises refused to sell alcohol to our under age volunteer, which demonstrates retailers understand the law and their responsibilities. Retailers are thanked for this and we will continue to work with our partners and retailers to ensure the sale of alcohol to under 18s is prevented.”

Licensing Sergeant, John Atkinson, added “We will continue to work in partnership with Trading Standards Officers to carry out joint underage test purchasing initiatives across the borough and take robust action against licensees who sell alcohol to under age persons. Breaches could ultimately lead to licensees losing their licence. Our message to licensees is simple – if in doubt, ask for proof of age

Clnical Town punish Cables

Prescot Cables  0 v  Hednesford Town 5.  Saturday 18th April 2009.

On a bright sunny day Cables fans turned up hoping to see their favourites record their first win on a Saturday this season. Hednesford Town, still in with a chance of finishing in a play-off place, started the game playing positive attacking football, Cables with some young inexperienced players in their side struggled to contain, Hednesfords play, and in was no surprise when they took the lead when a shot by Marshall was fumbled by Hunt Cables young keeper and Barnett prodded the ball into the net.

Hednesford continued to press forward and they increased their lead, just 5 minutes later. Dyer latched onto a through that beat a static defence, went round the advancing keeper and scored from a tight angle. Barnett and Dyer were causing panic in the Cables defence and both missed glorious chances to score from further chances created by good attacking play.

Cables had taken a long time getting into the game but they started to pass the ball around much better and they certainly caused Hednesford some problems but could not create many clear chances, although Byers Cables centre forward did create a chance but his cross was headed away from under the bar with the keeper beaten.

Cables were punished right on half time when Barnett scored with a clinical finish from the edge of the penalty area. Cables made two substitutions at the start of the second half. The half started with both sides playing open football and Hednesford scored possibly the strangest goal this season.

Durrell broke clear of the Cables defence, Hunt Cables keeper challenged for the ball but Durrell prodded the ball towards the goal and slipped over, McIntosh slid across and cleared the ball but his clearance hit the post and rebounded to Durrell who although still lying on the ground shot the ball home. Green who had come on for Cables was making his presence felt and he like McCulloch pushed Cables forward. Cables were playing some good football and taking the game to Hednesford but they couldn’t make the breakthrough there play deserved.

Hednesford looked dangerous when they attacked but Hunt made some important saves, he was looking more secure than in the first half. Durrell scored Hednesford’s fifth when after a swift break he converted a cross from just 6 yards out. Cables went down to ten men right on time when Dalton was sent off for a second bookable offence. Although Cables were beaten by the better side they contributed to an entertaining game.

Cables: Hunt, Dalton, Bowden-Davies, McCulloch ( C ), Bell, McIntosh, Croxton, Shinks, Byers, Connolly, Williams. Subs. Taylor, Mahama ( 45mins for Shinks ) Forsyth ( 82mins for Williams ) Owens, Green ( 45mins for Connolly )

Counterfeit DVDs seized in Knowsley

A substantial quantity of counterfeit DVDs has been seized in Knowsley.

Officers from the Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Team seized 675 DVDs from two men and a woman attempting to sell the counterfeit DVDs from holdalls in and around Knowsley Industrial Estate in Kirkby. The three individuals appeared to be working as a team. The seizure included over 250 illegal pornographic DVDs.

The production and supply of counterfeit goods is a serious criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years imprisonment.

In addition to the sellers, businesses who knowingly allow the sale of counterfeit goods on their premises could face prosecution.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, commented “The manufacture and sale of counterfeit goods has serious adverse effects on traders selling genuine goods and the consumer is often left disappointed as the quality is invariably poor and the chance of a refund unlikely.

“The production, distribution and supply of counterfeit products are viewed seriously and we work closely with individuals and organisations representing legitimate trade interests. This results in the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit goods annually.”

“Local business where these goods may be being sold, such as in pubs, need to remember that they can also be prosecuted if they knowing allow the sale of counterfeit goods on their premises".

Knowsley Council is issuing the following advice to avoid buying fake, or counterfeit, goods:-

•  be suspicious about bargains - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
• find out if you have any guarantees or after-sales service.
• examine the quality of the goods 
• check labels and packaging for mis-spellings and poor logos 
• take extra care at street markets, car boot sales, pubs and computer fairs, or in other situations where it may be more difficult to get in touch with the trader after the purchase

For further advice or if you would like to report counterfeit goods being sold in your community, call Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health & Consumer Protection Team on 0151 443 4713.

Knowsley benefits cheat given suspended jail term

A Knowsley woman who fraudulently claimed £33,509 in benefits has been given an eight months prison sentence and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid community work.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the sentence against June Byrne will be suspended for two years, during which time she must not re-offend or she will be taken back into custody.

Ms Byrne claimed Housing and Council Tax benefit and Income Support as a single person living at 10A Tiverton Close in Huyton.

But efforts by Knowsley’s Council Tax department to trace her ex partner revealed she was also the owner of a house at 22 Radway Road, Huyton.

Fifty six year old Ms Byrne had never declared this property to Knowsley Council and officers launched a joint investigation with the Department of Work and Pensions.

She was interviewed under caution on July 3, 2007 and admitted to failing to declare that she owned the house.

As the property was worth more than £16,000 she was not entitled to any of the benefits she had been claiming.

Cllr Norman Keats, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Finance & IT, said: “The result of this prosecution should send out a clear message that we in Knowsley will not put up with cheats.

“Every pound that is paid to a fraudster is a pound lost to the community for services that we can all benefit from.

“It is also important to remember that genuine claimants must always let us know if their circumstances change or they too could find themselves in court.”

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 about a change of circumstances, please call 0151 443 4042 or call into your nearest One Stop Shop.

Public "Have their say" in how criminals payback on Merseyside

A new campaign that explains how the public can have their say on the work offenders carry out on Community Payback is being launched this week in Knowsley by Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. This follows the launch of branded high visibility jackets for offenders on Community Payback in December last year.

In 54 Neighbourhood Crime & Justice Pioneer Areas of which Knowsley is included, the public will for the first time be able to vote for which of five schemes offenders will start working on first.  Voting will run until 24 April and the winning projects will be announced in June.  To vote simply go to www.merseysideprobationtrust.org or www.direct.gov.uk/communitypayback

The scheme will be promoted in local newspapers and on local radio and also explains how, across the country, the public can suggest other projects offenders should undertake throughout the year. These could include renovating community centres, clearing undergrowth and cleaning off graffiti for local communities.

Every year over 55,000 criminals receive Community Payback – carrying out over six million hours of free work on behalf of their communities to payback for their crimes. However, more often than not the public do not know about it or know that they can have a say on what offenders do.

Knowsley Council marks Hillsborough anniversary

Councillors, dignitaries and local people in Knowsley marked the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy in a moving ceremony at Huyton One Stop Shop.

The deputy leader of the authority, Cllr Graham Morgan, placed flowers at the Hillsborough memorial, watched by the chief executive Sheena Ramsey and local MP George Howarth amongst others.

A two minute silence was then observed as a mark of respect to the 96 people who lost their lives and to the many other people affected by the tragedy.

Local businesses and taxi companies also observed the period of silence and flags on council buildings were flown at half mast throughout the day.

KMBC deputy leader Cllr Graham Morgan places flowers at the Hillsborough memorial in Huyton.

Woman jailed for Knowsley benefit fraud

A mother of three from Knowsley who fraudulently claimed nearly £27,000 in benefits has been jailed for six months.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Andrea Coltman claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a single parent.

But she had failed to declare that she had been living with her partner, who was in paid employment.

A joint investigation by Knowsley Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed the couple had been living together for three years, in Lakenheath Road, Halewood.

Ms Coltman admitted her dishonesty when interviewed by Council and DWP fraud investigators in 2007.

She said the relationship was unstable and, when she was interviewed, her partner had been in prison for a few months, which had caused them to separate.

The court was told Ms Coltman, who is 33, had several previous convictions for theft and had broken several curfew orders.

Judge Holloway passed sentence on Ms Coltman today (Wednesday). She had admitted fraudulently claiming a total of £26,942.31 at an earlier hearing.

Cllr Norman Keats, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Finance and IT, said: “The result of this investigation 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.”

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 about a change of circumstances, please call 0151 443 4042 or call into your nearest One Stop Shop

Hillsborough anniversary

In line with other Merseyside local authorities and organisations Knowsley Council will be marking the 20th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

As a mark of respect to the 96 people who tragically lost their lives and to the many other people effected by the tragedy, flags on council buildings will be flown at half-mast all day on 15 April 2009. Council staff will also be invited to gather at the Hillsborough Memorial in the Huyton One Stop Shop and the Municipal Building in Kirkby to observe a two minute silence at 3.06 pm.

Local businesses and taxi companies will also observe the period of silence.

Kicking knives into touch

A team of young footballers in Knowsley are taking the battle against knife crime on to the pitch.

A squad from the Stockbridge Village Kickz project have won their way through to the North West final of the ‘It Doesn’t Have to Happen’ tournament.

It is part of a Government campaign, to give young people an understanding of the consequences of knife crime, encouraging them to ‘say no to knives’.

The ‘It Doesn’t Have to Happen’ project was conceived by the Home Office but developed by young people themselves.

It has been backed by the Kickz football scheme which provides coaching and matches for young people.

Regional football tournaments were arranged to raise awareness of the anti-knife crime campaign.

Twelve to sixteen year olds from across the country put on the strips of professional clubs to represent their local communities in a national competition.

The Stockbridge youngsters took part in the regional competition in Blackburn and have won a place in the final which will probably be played at Derby County’s Pride Park ground in May.

Cllr Bill Weightman represents the Stockbridge Village ward and has been a strong supporter of the Kickz project.

He said: “The power of football and premiership clubs in young people’s lives is tremendous.

“It is a great idea to link this appeal to a crucial campaign to let them know just how dangerous knives and carrying knives can be.

“The Kickz coaches said our local lads behaved excellently during the competition, both on and off the pitch and that the campaign had a really positive effect on them.”

The Kickz programme is backed by the Football Foundation, Premier League, Metropolitan Police and other forces around the country.

The anti-knife crime campaign has a dedicated website on the social networking site Bebo: www.itdoesnthavetohappen.co.uk

Pic Caption : The Stockbridge Kickz team wins through to the final of the ‘It doesn’t have to happen’ anti-knife crime tournament.