Beachsafe Drives Down Fires and Crime along Southport & Formby Coastline
Operation Beachsafe has been successful this year in helping to reduce crime and deliberate fires on Sefton’s coastline over the summer months.
The campaign ran from March to September and although there was an increase this year in visitors to Sefton’s coast over the summer months, the number of incidents was down.
Crime as a whole reduced by 6.7% on Sefton’s coastline compared to last year, with violent crime down by 21%, while criminal damage and arson were both down by 12%. There was a 3% increase in anti-social behaviour compared to last year, with 479 incidents reported, however this is still a marked reduction on the 528 incidents in 2011.
It follows the success of Operation Beachsafe last year which saw overall crime and anti-social behaviour cut by a third compared to the year before.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended and recorded 41 deliberate fires along the coastline during the campaign, which was nine fewer than last year. Throughout August there were no deliberate fires in the beach areas.
Operation Beachsafe involves a number of partners who work together to tackle issues including crime, anti-social behaviour, lighting fires, lighting barbecues, underage drinking as well as camping along the beaches, National Trust areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Partners included Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Sefton Council, The National Trust, Sefton’s Coast and Countryside Rangers, RNLI lifeguards, British Transport Police, councillors and parish councillors.
The RNLI recorded that from mid-May to the first week in September there were 409,326 beach users on Sefton’s beaches in 2013. During that time the RNLI attended 496 incidents in Sefton and aided 1,896 people.
Formby, Ainsdale & Birkdale Neighbourhood Inspector Jim Atherton, said: “I am pleased to say Sefton’s 2013 Beachsafe Operation has again been a resounding success. This is thanks to the planning and teamwork of everyone involved. The key message was we would welcome those who came to enjoy the area and respect the community but would not tolerate those involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.
“This robust approach was reflected in the vast majority of alcohol seizures from the 379 units total being in the early part of the operation in the Formby area setting the tone for the operation.
“The most challenging part of the operation on the hottest days was parking especially in the Formby area for visitors and residents. This is a long-term problem being looked at by the local councillors, residents, National Trust and Sefton Council in partnership with the emergency services.”
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service carried out high visibility patrols on quad bikes with partners, including Merseyside Police, Sefton Coast and Countryside and the National Trust.
Rob Pritchard, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Sefton District Manager, said: “It is fantastic to see the number of deliberate fires along the coastline reduced this year. People are evidently taking notice of the key safety messages and are enjoying the Sefton coastline in a safe way.
“The partnership work with other organisations has been successful in helping to reduce the number of incidents in the borough. We will continue to develop that work to keep Sefton a pleasant, safe place for people to visit over the summer.”
Councillor Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, Families and Leisure, said: “We are very proud of the Sefton coastline and all that it offers and believe it should be enjoyed safely by people of all ages.
“With the exceptionally good summer many people have visited our many beaches and it is very pleasing to see the success of Operation Beachsafe.
“This clearly shows adopting a multi-agency approach can yield positive results which in turn benefits everyone.”
Parish Councillor Mike Coles, of Formby Parish Council, said: “The Formby Parish Council has been proud to be one of the founder members who developed the idea with the police and it has proved to be a great success. It is the result of everyone working hard to a common objective, for people to come and enjoy the environment safely and securely.
“This summer has been a good one and yet the incidents reported to the police are down. There will be problems with parking to some degree but the changes that were made have ensured that emergency vehicles have had access and we have avoided the problems of the past.
“At the first meeting of 2014 it is planned to discuss car parking as an urgent priority, to see what improvements can be made, and we will do what we can to help.”
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