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Vol 26 l Issue 27
3 July 2019
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
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MOUNT GARAGE, Prescot Road, Melling L31 1AR, THE GULF GARAGE
Muffin the therapy dog visits hospital!
New cancer support group to be launched
LOCAL TEENS’ STARRING ROLE IN HIGHLIGHTING SEXTING DANGER Report by Henry James YOUNG people in Lancashire are being warned about the consequences of ‘sexting’ in a short film starring local teenagers. Sexting - the sending, receiving, or forwarding of sexually explicit messages, photographs, or images, primarily between mobile phones - can have a significant impact on young victims and young people who share images without understanding the consequences or understanding that it is a criminal offence. Having discussed this sensitive issue, West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership has commissioned the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale, to produce an educational film aimed at young people. The end result is Captured and the film was officially launched at the Artz Centre where the audience was very impressed with what they saw. Captured will now tour high schools with the aim of dissuading young people from becoming involved in sexting and the improper use of social media. The safety partnership has worked with the Artz Centre previously to produce a film called Crossing the Line, highlighting the dangers of getting involved in gangs.
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Appeal for information after two daylight knife attacks in town in less than a week! POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two stabbing incidents in Skelmersdale in less than a week. In the most recent attack, at about 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, July 2) police were called by the ambulance service to a report that a man in his early 50s, had suffered a knife injury to his head on Windrows in the town. He was taken to hospital where his condition is described as “serious but stable.” The offenders are believed to be a group of around four or five men wearing dark clothing and face coverings. Detective Sergeant Pete Reil, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a really serious assault which has left a man with some significant injuries. Targeted
Ben Rigby and Molly Waterhouse, two of the young stars at the launch with the Mayor, Councillor Gaynar Owen, chair of West Lancs Community Safety Partnership Heidi McDougall, deputy police commissioner Chris Webb, Chief Inspector Ian Jones, Artz Centre founding director Mark Ashton and the film’s creative director Joshua Gwynne.
This has been shown to thousands of pupils in schools across West Lancashire, with plans in place to deliver the resource into schools across the whole of the county. Continued inside
“While we believe this was a targeted attack and there is no threat to the wider community, we need the public’s help to try and identify the offenders. “This attack was carried out in broad daylight and not far from a school and we simply will not tolerate this level of shocking violence on our streets. “I would ask anyone with information or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage in the area to get in touch.” Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log number 0593 of Tuesday, July 2
or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Officers are also appealing for witnesses to the ealier incident in which a man was robbed at knifepoint in the town, again in broad daylight. This attack took place at about 3.20pm on Monday, June 24 when a 36-year-old man and a male companion were approached by two other two men near to the dental surgery in Firbeck. The 36-year-old was threatened by one of the men who was carrying a knife and demanded cash. The victim handed over £200 and the assailants made off from the scene towards the direction of the Ecumenical Centre. The offenders are described as white and wearing dark clothing with their faces covered. Detective Constable Rachael Taylor-Gore, of Skelmersdale CID, said: “We are urging anyone who may have saw what happened to come forward. “This robbery took place in broad daylight and I believe someone must know who the offenders are.” Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01695 566107 or email 1154@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log reference 0987 of June 24. Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at http://socsi.in/8EN84.
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