A £71k shop theft, on-the-spot fines for dog owners and Merseyside college strikes are some of the stories we have published today
How Natterjack in the Baltic Triangle normally looks
Here are five stories published by the Liverpool Echo you may have missed today.
1) Rachel Reeves’ budget decision could help 40,000 Merseyside kids
While many people are referring to the Chancellor’s Budget announcement tomorrow as make or break for the flailing Labour government – for families across Merseyside, the stakes are even higher. Child poverty is rising in our region, with latest grim statistics showing across Merseyside, there are now more than 111,000 children growing up in relative low-income families, up from 107,759. The child poverty rate has jumped from 22.3% to 24.8%, widening the gap with the rest of England and remaining above the national average. These figures show why many now believe it is imperative Ms Reeves lifts the two-child benefit limit, as she is expected to do. READ HERE.
2) Dad questions Christmas after thieves steal £71k from city shop
A dad has been left questioning his Christmas plans after thousands of pounds worth of items were stolen from his city store. Ranjan Ramsey, from Skelmersdale, said he received a phone call from one of his staff members at the start of her shift at Natterjack on Sunday, November 23. The staff member was crying and repeatedly said over the phone that the Baltic Triangle shop was empty. Ranjan quickly checked the cameras to confirm what the staff members were talking about, and as he told the ECHO, he was “instantly devastated” after seeing “everything was gone”. READ HERE.
3) Police officer acquitted of attacking girlfriend
A Merseyside Police officer has been cleared of assault following an appeal at Chester Crown Court. Jack McGregor, 28, was previously convicted at Crewe Magistrates’ Court. McGregor, of Westover Road, Maghull, was arrested and taken to a police station and charged with assault. He pleaded not guilty at Chester Magistrates’ Court on February 24 this year. But following a trial at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on July 24, he was found guilty. Despite the lack of a statement from the victim, the Crown Prosecution Service applied to have the police body-worn footage from the scene at the time used as evidence, and the judge agreed. READ HERE.
4) Dog owners could be hit with £100 on the spot fine
On the spot fines for irresponsible dog owners will be retained for the next three years across Liverpool. Back in 2022, Liverpool Council agreed to adopt a public space protection order (PSPO) tightening its controls over dog fouling and inappropriate behaviour in certain locations throughout the city. The three-year order prevents dogs being off-lead in eight city cemeteries and present at more than 70 playgrounds and sports pitches. Since its introduction, more than 400 dog owners have either been warned or sanctioned for flouting the rules. READ HERE.
5) Staff at three Merseyside colleges to go on strike
Three Merseyside colleges will be hit by strikes after staff voted in favour of walk-outs. The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that staff 32 colleges across England have approved walk-outs over pay and working conditions. An overwhelming 90% of staff who voted in the further education college ballot said they would back strike action. Ballots were held locally, and UCU beat the 50% turnout threshold at 32 colleges. Employer body, the Association of Colleges (AoC), has recommended a pay uplift of 4% but the UCU wants a 10% pay rise. READ HERE.
Read all the latest headlines at Liverpool ECHO.