Press Release
SUCCESS STORIES
RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS
A joint initiative was launched to tackle prostitution and kerb crawling in the Netherfield Road area of the city, in response to concerns raised by the community.
During a Meet the Judge event where the local community have the opportunity to air concerns that matter most to them, many residents in the area had voiced their worries that prostitutes were openly working in residential streets, causing distress to local people. Police had warned prior to the operation that robust action would be taken against kerb crawlers.
As a result of the operation prostitutes and kerb crawlers were brought swiftly to court. Sentencing in November 2005, Judge David Fletcher used an innovative approach, issuing driving disqualifications to the kerb crawlers, so the men couldn't move their offending to other areas. The case received a great deal of interest from the local media and quotes from local residents showed they were pleased their concerns had been addressed quickly and effectively.
CRACKDOWN ON PROBLEM HOUSE
In response to concerns raised by local residents attending another Meet the Judge event, the Community Justice Centre worked with Merseyside Police and CDS housing to successfully serve a closure order on the owner of a 'crackhouse' in Kirkdale - the first of its kind in Liverpool North.
Members of the local community had also voiced their concerns about the property in Fountains Road. A large number of people were seen calling at the house at all hours of the day and night, with an unusual number of people staying over at the address, resulting in a great deal of noise, as well as people fighting while at the premises. The police mounted a surveillance operation, and in December 2005, the Community Justice Centre issued a closure notice under 'crackhouse' legislation, having been satisfied that the property had been associated with the unlawful use, production or supply of Class A controlled drugs.
The unique working practices of the Community Justice Centre and the diverse interaction between the Criminal Justice Organisations (CJOs) within the Centre working alongside the Police enabled this to be dealt with quickly, in a coordinated way that addressed the residents concerns.
SUPPORTING LOCAL PEOPLE
A local resident, who had been the victim of sustained anti-social behaviour in a hot-spot area, was given a new lease of life, thanks to the intervention of the centre's Community Resource Team.
Working with the centre's Victim Support and housing representatives, an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) was served on the main individual responsible for the problem. The resident was given support in moving house and in January 2006, she told the centre staff that due to their help, her life had been transformed and she felt years younger.
PROMOTING GOOD CITIZENSHIP
The centre successfully piloted a half-day Citizenship event for a group of young people from an education establishment for excluded pupils in North Liverpool. The event, in February 2006, showed the young people how crime and disorder affects the local community and highlighted the consequences of getting involved in activity which causes distress for local people.
RAISING AWARENESS
The centre hosted a series of events to give local residents the opportunity to tour the Community Justice Centre, find out about its work and meet the team. The events which were organised in conjunction with North Liverpool's Neighbourhood Councils were launched in February 2006. They were well attended and generated a lot of interest from local people.
PROMOTING HEALTHY LIVING
Drug and alcohol misuse by young people is regularly raised as a community concern and has been discussed in resident meetings, community and young people's reference groups and through calls made to the centre surrounding Anti Social Behaviour.
Nearly 50 young people from across North Liverpool attended an event at the Community Justice Centre's community room to learn about healthy living.
The event, hosted by the centre's drug and alcohol awareness representative in April 2006, gave the young people information about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse, which is a major community concern in North Liverpool.
The broader healthy living event also provided information about the dangers of smoking and teenage pregnancy, promoted eating healthily and getting involved in sport and other healthy activities. This was supported by partner agencies involved in anti-smoking and sexual health campaigns, including Positive Futures supporting the event, which featured a quiz to assess learnings from the day.
PUTTING COMMUNITY SAFETY FIRST
In April 2006, members of staff from the centre and agencies across North Liverpool gathered at the centre's community room to give local residents advice on issues such as home security and fire safety. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the centre's police team, Victim Support and the Department for Work and Pensions were on hand to give a range of advice.
More than 40 residents attended and received home security advice from the centre's Community Support Officers (CSOs) and others who attended the event.
DEVELOPING FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS
In August 2006, the Community Justice Centre sponsored two special courses to teach young people from across North Liverpool about the dangers of fire and the importance of the work of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
This follows the successful completion of the LIFE (Local Involvement in Fire Education) programme by two groups of young people in August 2005.
During the five-day fire safety courses the young people, aged between 11 and 16 joined forces with fire service staff at the youth engagement centre on Derby Road, Kirkdale.
Aimed at helping to create a safer community, the course gave the young people the opportunity to see at first hand, the work of the fire service, learn basic fire fighting techniques and understand the dangers of hoax calls and attacks on firefighters. They were shown the potential dangers of fire and witnessed the important work that fire officers undertake on a daily basis.
Those taking part were given a number of exercises aimed at encouraging self development, by instilling fundamental fire services principles of self-discipline, leadership and teamwork.
TWO-YEAR ASBO FOR 16 YEAR-OLD
A 16-year old was given a two-year anti-social behaviour order after a series of incidents in the Anfield area.
The teenager was given an ASBO for his behaviour in the community and in his school between November 2005 and June 2006.
He verbally abused a teacher and local resident, made threats to two fellow pupils, threw bottles and stones and spat at two residents' cars.
The conditions of the two-year ASBO mean that during this time, the 16 year-old cannot enter a specific area of North Liverpool around Anfield and Breckfield, is not allowed to use threatening words or behaviour towards any other person, interfere with any cars, make any approaches to two particular members of the community or kick or throw anything at any car, person or property.
If he does not comply with this order and is convicted, he could face a two-year prison sentence or fine, or both.
'IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY' PUTS MAN IN PRISON
A 29-year-old man from Kensington appeared before Judge David Fletcher for sentencing in September 2006, after being convicted by Liverpool Crown Court of two charges of possessing over £2,500 worth of cocaine and heroin, with intent to supply in the North Liverpool area.
After hearing a full report, Judge Fletcher sentenced the man to 32 months in prison on each offence, to run alongside each other. In sentencing the defendant, the Judge made it clear to him that his offending behaviour had an impact on the local community, which he said 'is plagued by this type of offence'.
The community has highlighted drugs as one of their main areas of concern.
MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT AT RAILWAY STATION
A 25-year-old man who assaulted two railway security officers at Sandhills Station and later threatened and verbally abused one of them, was sent to prison for five months by Judge David Fletcher, in September.
The offence happened in April this year, when the victims were checking tickets at the station. The offender, from Kirkdale, was approached to have his ticket checked and became angry and assaulted both officers, head-butting one and hitting the other. At a later date, again at Sandhills station, he abused and threatened one of the victims.
Initially the defendant denied the allegations, but eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced based on the witnesses' statements.