Attempted robbery of Taxi Driver in Southport

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information after an attempted robbery of a man in Southport, that took place at around 1.50am, on Saturday, 22 October 2016. We are told that a Taxi Driver was sat stationary at the junction of Hampton Road and Scarisbrick New Road, when an unknown man approached him at the window of the Taxi and made demands for money.

Merseyside Police said:- "It is believed that the man was in possession of a knife. Following a struggle, the man made off empty handed on foot towards Scarisbrick New Road. The victim received cuts to his hands and legs, which required medical treatment. The man is described as white, 5ft 10in, in his early 20's, of thin build, wearing a grey hoodie which was pulled up, and blue jeans."

Detective Inspector Jimmy Belmar from Sefton CID said:- "Thankfully the victim was not more seriously injured, but this was an appalling attack which incident left the victim fearful for his life. If you were in the area, on foot or driving past, and saw a man matching this description on Hampton Road around 1.50am, call us immediately. Any information, however small, could be vital to our investigation."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Sefton CID on:- 0151 777 3835, call:- 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

Road traffic collision with scrambler bike leads to an appeal for help

MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that an investigation is continuing following a road traffic collision in Aintree, on Sunday, 23 October 2016. We are informed that Police Officers spotted a scrambler bike which was speeding along Queens Drive towards the City, the rider of the bike, who was not wearing a helmet, was also observed by the Police Helicopter doing wheelies on the road and going through a number of red traffic lights. The bike, which was being monitored by the Police Helicopter, was seen being driven at speed in the Anfield, Everton, Walton, Tuebrook, Norris Green areas and at one point was observed driving against traffic on the wrong side of the East Lancashire Road (towards the City) before heading towards Warbreck Moor. As the bike travelled along Ormskirk Road, it went through the traffic lights, at the junction of Park Lane and mounted the pavement where it collided with 2 men who were walking along the pavement. 1 of the men, who was 56 years old, suffered a cut to the head and was taken to Hospital where he is being treated for the injury, which is not believed to be serious. The 2nd pedestrian, who was a 54 year old declined medical treatment. The rider of the bike, a 24 year old man from Anfield, is believed to have suffered a fractured skull and he was taken to Hospital, where he is currently being treated. Officers who were in a Patrol Car travelling out of the City, on Ormskirk Road, when the incident occurred on the opposite side of the carriageway, provided 1st aid at the scene. Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland, said:- "Our inquiries into this incident are at an early stage but we believe the scrambler bike was being ridden in a dangerous and anti social way on major roads around the City prior to the collision. It is through sheer luck that neither of the pedestrians who were hit by the bike, was seriously injured. It is only a matter of time before someone is killed as a result of this type of behaviour. Recently we have seen an increase in the dangerous and anti social use of scrambler bikes on our roads and this is putting other road users and pedestrians at risk. These people have no regard for anyone, but themselves and don’t care about the risk they pose to others. I would like to appeal to anyone who saw the bike, particularly any drivers on the East Lancashire Road at about 4.40pm who saw the bike being driven against the traffic to come forward. The rider of the bike was wearing a camouflage jacket, a scarf covering his face and no helmet, if you saw this bike being driven in anti social manner, between 4.15pm and 4.45pm please come forward.  In the coming days, weeks and months, we will continue to take pro-active action against those involved in the criminal use of scrambler bikes on our roads. We will do everything possible to locate and seize suspected stolen or nuisance bikes and arrest those who are putting the safety of others at risk. Since the beginning of October 2016:- 35 bikes have been seized, 19 search warrants executed and 16 people have been arrested as part of Operation Brookdale. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure communities across Merseyside that we understand their concerns about scrambler bikes and will be relentless in our efforts to tackle them. Such behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside and our response reflects how seriously we take this issue. The continued action is thanks to information from our community. I would urge anyone with information which could help us take these bikes out of circulation and make our streets safer to keep coming forward.”

Anyone with information on who is using these bikes and where they are being stored is urged to call:- 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.