'Clean sweep' for Wirral bathing water

THE Environment Agency has given Wirral's bathing water top marks in annual ratings.  Councils are required to provide information at their sites for bathers and other beach users.   Standards for bathing waters are overseen by the Environment Agency and are measured at 413 beaches and lakes across the England, with star ratings being applied to bathing water site, using a simple 3 star system.
 

Bathing Area Star Rating Meaning Meols ★★★  'Excellent.' Moreton ★★★  'Excellent.' Wallasey ★★★  'Excellent.' West Kirby ★★★  'Excellent.'

Key:- 0 star = 'Poor' 1 star =  'Satisfactory' 2 stars = 'Good' 3 stars = 'Excellent'

The Wirral's borough's 4 designated bathing waters, at:- Meols, ,  and , we can confirm, have been awarded a clean sweep of top marks for their cleanliness.  All 4 entrants have been awarded the maximum 3 stars for 2016/2017.  The 'Excellent' classification means the waters are of the "highest microbial quality required." Also these results have been achieved under new, more stringent regulations which came into force in 2015. 

In 2015, Wallasey was classed as Good, just 1 rating lower than Wirral's other 3 bathing spots. Cllr Bernie Mooney, Wirral Council member for Environment, said:- "I'm personally delighted that the standard of Wirral's bathing water has improved even further to reach the highest of standards. The quality and cleanliness of Wirral's coastline is a key part of our tourism offer and supports hundreds of jobs in the borough. Last year I said I hoped that we would be able to uphold our standards, and I'm pleased to say we've done that."

Flares and smoke canisters stop Southport FC v Fleetwood FC Match

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information after spectators at the Southport v Fleetwood Football Match, on Monday, 7 November 2016, disrupted the match, by throwing flares and smoke canisters onto the pitch.  Officers will be speaking with representative from both Clubs, and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing. This will include Officers viewing televised footage, to identify those involved. Chief Superintendent Paul White said:- "The Police and Courts take these offences very seriously and prosecution can result in a prison sentence. Flares burn at extremely high temperatures and can easily ignite combustible materials such as clothing. They can also cause severe burns if they come into contact with a person's skin and could cause life changing injuries. The smoke canisters that were thrown disrupted the match, causing play to be stopped whilst the pitch was cleared and smoke dissipated. This could have resulted in the evacuation of the ground, and the end of the match, but fortunately play was able to go on.  I?d ask anyone who was at the game, who has any information on those involved in the throwing of flares or anyone who has mobile phone footage of the incident to contact Merseyside Police. Anyone who has any information is asked to call on:- 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111."

Southport Tourist attraction targeted by vandals

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for the public's help in identifying offenders who have damaged railway shed windows, in Southport.  The incident is thought to have taken place between 3.00pm, on Sunday, 6 November 2016 and 9:45am, on Tuesday, 8 November 2016, by unknown offenders, who have damaged 13 windows of the railway sheds, at Southport Pleasure Lands Miniature Railway.

Neighbourhood Inspector Graham Fisher said:- "This behaviour is unnecessary and will have caused distress to those who visit the Pleasure Land, and those that work on the railway.  I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything to contact us immediately. We would particularly be interested in hearing from anyone who has seen people acting suspiciously near to the Pleasure Land in recent days. I would like to reassure our community that with your help we will make every effort to trace those responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Merseyside Police on:- 101 or the confidential Crimestoppers line, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.