Merseyside Police advice for anyone visiting our Sefton coast this weekend

With another forecast of great weather over the weekend, we are expecting large numbers of people visiting the Sefton Coastline again. Whilst we all want to take advantage of the weather after the last year, the large numbers bring some regular issues:

PARKING/TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

The car park at Formby Point (Victoria Road) is managed by Green Sefton. Once the car park is full it will be closed and operate on a ‘one out, one in’ basis. Please ensure that if you park on the side roads that you park legally and with respect for local residents. Civil Enforcement Officers will ticket cars found committing any yellow line offences. Police Officers and PCSO’s will ticket cars left causing obstructions to roads, pavements, drive ways and vehicles will be towed away if necessary.

LOST CHILDREN

The emergency services will put all available resources into finding lost children. Please help reduce the need for this action by taking the following precautions.

When you arrive at the beach, take a photo. This will help the emergency services if anyone from your party goes missing. Arrange a meeting point in case you get separated. Consider GPS trackers for young children and vulnerable adults and don’t forget to take plenty of water and sunblock.

LITTER

As the saying goes, “Leave only footprints behind you in the sand”. The amount of rubbish left behind on beaches and seafront areas has been immense recently; Everything from disposable, coffee cups and face masks to fold away picnic tables! Abandoned to be swept out to sea. Green Sefton and volunteers do a great job of clearing this stuff left behind, but all you have to do is take bin bags with you and take your rubbish home, or leave it in a sealed bag by the bins.

Also, please remember that BARBECUES ARE BANNED ACROSS THE WHOLE SEFTON COASTLINE.

Have a great time at the beach and seafront areas, but please help make your visit great for others and great for the local environment.

Head of Local Policing Matt Boyle said: “Following a number of worrying incidents of anti-social behaviour - particularly over the bank holiday – we want to reassure people that we'll be out in coastal areas, town centres and beyond to listen to any concerns the public have, offer advice on Covid rules, and help keep everyone safe.”

"To anyone who might be involved in or planning criminal activity, think again. Officers will be patrolling various beaches and other busy areas to ensure anyone carrying a weapon or threatening others is taken off our streets and faces the consequences.”

"We all know that Merseyside is a great place to live and visit, with an abundance of coastal beauty spots, parks and green spaces, and a vibrant hospitality industry. It's important to us that everyone can enjoy these things safely, and that no individuals or groups spoil it for the majority.”

"If you're visiting any coastal areas such as Formby, Crosby or New Brighton, expect to see increased patrols. Please remember to park safely and considerately - or even better, make use of our great public transport links and cycling options. Due to Covid-19, some means of public transport may operate a little differently, so please check and plan your visit beforehand.”

“Lastly but importantly, we want people to remember that Covid-19 still poses a risk to public health and the NHS. In order to get to Step four of the roadmap – hopefully on 21 June – we will need to be continuing in the right direction. This means no more than 30 people together outdoors, no more than six people or two households together indoors, social distancing, and wearing a mask where required to help keep coronavirus cases down. We all need to play our part and work together.”

Report any concerns to us via @MerPolCC on Twitter, by calling 101, or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.