Police

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner has today announced she will not be seeking re-election in May 2020.

Jane Kennedy informed the Labour Party this weekend that she would not be putting herself forward for re-selection after they asked incumbent Commissioners to make clear their intentions in time for selections to take place for the next election for Police and Crime Commissioners in May 2010.

Jane became Merseyside’s first Police and Crime Commissioner on November 22nd 2012 and was re-elected to serve a second term on May 6th 2015 with 61.7% of the vote.

During her six years as Commissioner, Jane has been a vocal opponent of cuts to policing and successfully campaigned against proposed budget cuts of up to 40% threatened by the then coalition government. She has also been instrumental in transforming Merseyside Police’s stations and buildings to ensure they are fit for purpose and for fighting crime. This has included overseeing the opening of the Force’s new Operational Command Centre in Speke, which is now the region’s major centre for tackling serious and organised crime.

She has also delivered support for thousands of victims of crime, through the Victim Care Merseyside service, which provides specialist support and care for victims of some of the most serious crimes, including rape and sexual assault, domestic abuse and child exploitation.

Jane said: “I have been immensely privileged and honoured to serve the people of Merseyside as their first Police and Crime Commissioner. Merseyside Police are the most effective and efficient urban police Force in the country, so say the inspectors of HMICFRS. I have been so very proud to work alongside them as their Commissioner.

“After considering it very carefully with my family, I have come to the decision that I will not stand for re-election next May. By that point, I will have served more than seven years as PCC, and I will be ready to step back from public life and hand over the responsibilities of this hugely important job to the next commissioner.

“I have made improving efficiency and driving vital funds to frontline policing a hallmark of my time as Commissioner. I’m pleased to say that – if nothing else – compared to my predecessors, I have reduced the cost of the scrutiny of the police on Merseyside by 43%. This has saved more than £1m each and every year. Money which has gone straight to Merseyside Police.”

Detectives are appealing for information following the robbery of a bike from a teenage boy in Southport in January.

At 3.45pm on Wednesday 30 January, a 14-year-old boy was cycling through Southport Cemetery on Duke Street when he was approached by an unknown person who punched him and forced him from the bike, before stealing it.

The suspect is described as wearing dark clothing with a hood up. Enquiries are ongoing.

The bike is a Cannondale mountain bike with a sprayed black frame and yellow shock absorber. Since the image was taken, the handlebars are now gold in colour, and the seat is now black and gold.

Detective Inspector Yoseph Al-Ramadhan said: “For a young teenager to be threatened and assaulted in broad daylight and have his property stolen is absolutely appalling and I’m sure people within the local community share our disgust and outrage.

“Did you see this incident or have any CCTV or dashcam footage of the suspect making off? Have you been offered or seen for sale a similar Cannondale mountain bike in recent days, or seen anyone riding it in the area?

“Come forward and we will take positive action on all information received to identify the person responsible and bring them to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 19100030365 or the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.