Operation Beachsafe is launched in Formby

Photo: Police Inspector for West Sefton Formby, Ainsdale and Hightown, Jim Atherton and MF&RS Station Manager Mark Jones with partners. Photo credit: Tony Thomas, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service

Operation Beachsafe has reduced anti-social behaviour on Sefton's beaches over the years.

A campaign to keep people safe from crime and anti-social behaviour on Sefton’s coastline was launched today.

Operation Beachsafe will run through to the end of the school summer holidays. The spring and summer campaign aims to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires on beaches, National Trust areas as well as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Partners include Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Sefton Council, The National Trust, Sefton’s Coast and Countryside Rangers, RNLI lifeguards, British Transport Police and Natural England, along with councillors and parish councillors, who will be working together to keep people safe.

Inspector for West Sefton Formby, Ainsdale and Hightown, Jim Atherton, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Sefton area. The operation really is a team effort and there are lots of dedicated people who have years of practical experience, working on a daily basis to make the operation a success.

“We would ask that at weekends and during school holidays visitors check on social media for updates on car parking issues. The National Trust car park on Victoria Road in Formby quickly fills up. There are several new parking restrictions in place in the nearby residential area, which I wouldn’t want visitors receiving a parking ticket or worse still having their car removed for causing an obstruction.”

Chief Superintendant Peter Costello, Area Commander, Sefton Area said: “The police will work closely with local agencies and the community to continue to build on the success of many years of running Operation Beachsafe. We continue to welcome those visitors who want to share our beautiful coastline and treat the environment and community with respect. The minor few who do not will be dealt with firmly and robustly by the police.”

Last year’s initiative was successful in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. It saw a drop in crime between the start of April 2014 and end of August 2014, compared to that same period in 2013, including drug possession, criminal damage, thefts from motor vehicles as well as anti-social behaviour. There were 405 crimes reported along the coast in that period of 2014, which was down from 413 incidents that same period in 2013.

Criminal damage, including arson, was down from 71 incidents in 2013 to 66 during the same period in 2014. Drug possession was also down from 67 incidents in 2013 to 55 incidents in 2014. There was also a reduction in anti-social behaviour between April and the end of August in 2014 with 383 incidents compared to 411 during that period last year.

Operation Beachsafe aims to keep residents and visitors safe from fires along the coastline and also to protect wildlife from deliberate fires.

Group Manager Rob Pritchard, Sefton District Manager, said: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service will work with Operation Beachsafe partners once again this year to prevent deliberate fires along Sefton’s coastline.

“We want people to enjoy their time on the coast this year and also prevent accidental fires by taking simple fire safety measures. People are advised not to build bonfires on the beach or in the sand dunes. They are also urged not to discard cigarettes on grassland or in woodland areas.”

A spokesman for Sefton Council, said: “We are very lucky in that Sefton has miles of amazing coastline and wonderful beaches which should all be enjoyed safely by everyone. “As the good weather approaches, many people will visit them and Operation Beachsafe acts as a clear deterrent for any anti-social behaviour. “The annual initiative is very successful and clearly shows by adopting a multi-agency approach through partnership working, we can make the Sefton coast a place everyone can appreciate and feel safe in.”

National Trust Countryside Manager, Andrew Brockbank added: “The National Trust welcomes the twelfth year of Operation Beachsafe which is a really positive campaign with partners working together to keep the lid on anti-social behaviour and make Formby’s coastline a place where people can have a very enjoyable day out. This year we’ll also be reminding everyone that nine out of 10 people don’t drop rubbish – it would be great if we could make it 10 out of 10.”

Story and Photo Source: Southport Visiter