Headlines: Mayor of Liverpool and Merseyside Police chief unite to tackle hate crime

The Mayor of Liverpool and the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police have come together at the start of Hate Crime Awareness Week to put tackling hate crime at the top of their agenda.

Joanne Anderson was elected leader of Liverpool City Council a short time after Serena Kennedy took on the top policing job – the first time both organisations have had female leaders – and now they are pledging to make tackling hate crime a priority.

What is hate crime?

Hate crime is hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation or someone who is transgender.

Earlier this year there were a number of attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in the city centre.

Hate Crime Awareness Week activities

• A series of joint partnership Hate Crime Awareness Webinars delivered by the Anthony Walker Foundation
• A joint leaflet drop in key hot spot areas to help raise awareness of hate crime organised by Merseyside Police and local housing providers
• Numerous educational hate crime awareness sessions taking place in various locations such as Tuebrook primary schools and Walton Youth Project
• A tea and coffee drop in afternoon at the Walton Road Community Café
• A drop in session with Afghan refugees to build positive relationships and encourage reporting

Reaction from key figures

Mayor Joanne Anderson said: “I have been really impressed with the response from all partners to the recent homophobic and transphobic attacks and this is something I want us to build on.”

Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, said: “For me the next steps are around what is it we need to do around educating people about healthy relationships and the way we treat each other. And then practical things like the night time economy and where are the hotspots that policing needs to be.”

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said: “Let me make it clear, crimes motivated by hate have no place in our society.

“I’m pleased to be working with partners and communities across the region to send out the message – loud and clear – that our region is diverse, it is inclusive and it is welcoming. Those who look to spread and breed hatred are have no place here.”

Never-before-seen photographs of John Lennon unveiled

To mark what would have been John Lennon’s 81st birthday on Saturday, 9 October, The Beatles Story have added a new addition to the ‘Sgt Pepper Way’ exhibition.

Never-before-seen images and a video interview with photographer Robert Deutsch and actor Ted Neeley who played Billy Shears in the Broadway show ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road’ and he described how working with John was a dream for a Beatles fan.

“John attended some of our rehearsals and he was so helpful to all of us. It was almost as if he had volunteered to be an associate producer because he just kept saying great, positive things.

“He was just a brother to all of us and he could not have been more cooperative or supportive.”

Morrisons confirms the opening date for Kirkby store

A new Morrisons is set to open in Kirkby on Thursday, 21 October, in a major boost for the town.

It is one of the biggest developments within a wider revamp of the town centre that has seen new restaurants opened and a cinema under construction.

Kirkby has been without a large supermarket for many years, with previous attempts to regenerate the town not coming to fruition.