Merseyside Police response to change in UK Threat Level

ON Saturday, 27 May 2017, following an assessment by Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), the Prime Minister announced that the UK threat level from international terrorism has reduced from critical to:- 'SEVERE,' meaning an attack is highly likely. Following the announcement Chief Constable Andy Cooke, who told the media that:- "During the past five days and in response to the heightened threat level members of the public have seen an increased policing and security presence at key sites and other crowded places across Merseyside to help protect our communities. The Prime Minister has indicated today that the threat level has reduced from critical to severe. I want our communities to be reassured that the safety of our communities is paramount and we are continually reviewing our resources as part of a range of measures to reassure communities and make sure we are well protected during these times of high alert. People will continue to see Firearms Officers patrolling Liverpool and other locations across Merseyside for the foreseeable future. Officers from our event planning team and protective security experts will also continue to work together with event organizers to ensure that venues have appropriate security measures in place for events planned in the near future. We urge the public to remain alert, but not alarmed as the Police Service and our partners are doing everything we can to help protect the security of our communities, public institutions, critical national infrastructure, and businesses and places of interest. Our security measures and activities are under constant review to reflect where the threats exist and the level of threat we are facing. The latest guidance on recognizing the terrorist threat and remaining vigilant can be accessed via:- NACTSO.Gov.UK. Be vigilant. If you suspect it, report it. Nobody is better placed to detect something that is out of place in their communities than the people living in them. We would encourage you, if you do see any suspicious activity, to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on:- 0800 789 321 , or in an emergency the public should always call:- 999. For further information about reporting suspicious behaviour visit:- Act.Campaign.Gov.UK If you get caught up in the rare event of a weapons attack we urge you to follow the Run, Hide, Tell advice NACTSO.Gov.UK. Terrorists want to create discord, distrust and to create fear. The Police stand together with all communities in the UK and we will take action against any criminal behaviour which seeks to undermine society, especially where crimes are motivated by hate. Communities defeat terrorism, which is why we need to work together, the public and Police. We depend on information from the public, who at times like this are our eyes and ears, to keep us all safe. Acts of terrorism and hate crimes are committed by a small minority of people and are not representative of the public at large. At times like this it is vital that all communities pull together and support each other. Everybody, from law enforcement, to businesses, to the general public, has a role to play in keeping the UK safe from terrorism."

Man found dead in Hesketh Park Lake

THE formal identification has yet to take place of a 50 year old male, who was found in a lake within Hesketh Park, on Park Crescent, Southport, on Monday, 29 May 2017. We are told that Officers were called to the Park, at around 8.15am, following reports that a body had been found within the lake. The park was then temporarily closed to allow an investigation to be carried out and so that the body could be recovered, by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. Merseyside Police have told us that:- "At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained,  but not suspicious." An investigation is currently underway to establish the cause of his death.