Sefton Council have admitted the 2023 Air Show ‘didn’t go to plan’ after a water-soaked beach left traffic backing up for miles. A late decision to close the beach to cars on the morning of the show caused numerous complaints of tailbacks, leaving some ticket holders stuck in their vehicles. At the time, the council chalked up the gridlock to the show’s immense popularity, with Councillor Marion Atkinson, now the council leader, even stating she would personally thank the organisers for their efforts. However, the council has now walked back that stance with a recent statement on the Visit Southport…
Author: On The Spot News
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of disqualified and drug driving after a car was seen doing handbrake turns on Ainsdale beach. Witnesses reported seeing the BMW being driven at speed when officers attended the beach car park at around 4pm on Sunday 18th May. A 43-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified, drug driving, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and using a motor vehicle on a road without a test certificate. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries. Sefton local policing Inspector Graham Fisher said: “We want everyone…
Police are appealing for information following a road traffic collision in Southport this morning, Thursday 16 May. At around 7.10am emergency services were called to a report of a collision involving a cyclist and a Citroen Berlingo van on Rufford Road. The cyclist, a man in his 60s, has sustained a serious head injury. The driver, a 28-year-old man from Southport, has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. Road closure is in place while emergency services dealt with the incident. Please find an alternative route and thank you for your patience. Police…
Three people embroiled in a fraud investigation have pleaded not guilty in court. Adam Yaffe, Jordan Borrowman, Sandra Carney and Megan Carney-Barrowman, all from Southport, were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, becoming concerned in an arrangement which they knew or suspected facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by or on behalf of another person, and possession or control of an article for use in fraud. Megan Carney-Barrowman was also charged with money laundering offences. The group were arrested earlier this year by the Regional Organised Crime Unit as part of an investigation…
Emergency Services are disposing of dangerous chemicals after a discovery at an industrial unit on Aughton Road. Merseyside Police have been in attendance at the estate on Aughton Road since yesterday (13 May). A North West Ambulance Rapid Response Vehicle was also spotted at the scene. The operation is still ongoing as authorities work to ensure the area is safe. The industrial yard is located approximately 150 meters from Lord Street West, nestled between Southern Road and St Paul’s Street in a mixed-use area with residential and commercial properties. While authorities have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the incident,…
A man has been caught on camera breaking into Southport Pier and taking a golf cart for a joyride along the decaying tourist attraction. Despite being sealed off to the public there have been numerous instances of people gaining unauthorised access to the Pier in recent weeks. Last week it was reported that police had to remove ‘about 40’ people from the Pier after they entered through a reportedly broken doorway. Now Southport Pier Pavillion have posted a furious update to say their alarms were tripped early on Sunday morning when a man was seen stealing their golf cart, which…
Heavy rain has once again reduced a number of roads in Southport to waterlogged impasses. Balmoral Drive in Churchtown and Rotten Row in the town centre are submerged while other roads that normally avoid issues have also felt the full force of a heavy downpour. Thunderstorms bringing days worth of rain to Southport struck in just over an hour this evening with storm drains unable to cope. Balmoral Drive, which has long suffered from poor drainage, is once again underwater with cars struggling to make it through the road. More heavy rainfall is expected later this evening and throughout Monday.…
A specialist ‘indoor’ cigar sampling lounge is set to open in Southport, becoming one of the first of its kind in the North West. The cigar lounge is the brainchild of the hugely popular Dram Gift Shop on Botanic Road in Churchtown and comes complete with specialist ventilation and furnishings for people to enjoy sampling cigars while under cover. Named Churchills, the sampling lounge is said to be the first of its kind in Sefton. The Dram gift shop owners said: “We have been open 2 years now and after the last 6 months of planning and hard work, I…
An OTS News appeal helped to reunite a lost dog with his worried owners in less than ten minutes. Kind hearted residents of Alexandra Road got in touch with OTS this afternoon to ask for an appeal to be shared to reunite a distressed old English bulldog with its owners. The dog had been found wandering the streets in clear distress. Despite the appeal only being up for ten minutes it was quickly spotted by the dogs owners who immediately got in touch. OTS is delighted to report the dog has now been safely reunited with his thankful owners.
A dog with no collar has been taken in and rescued after being found wandering alone in Southport today. The dog, which appears to be a type of old English bulldog, was found in distress on Alexandra Road shortly after 2.30pm today. It was taken in by concerned residents who are now looking after the dog until their owners are found. The dog has been identified as male and is showing signs of distress but is not scared of people and is very tame. The owners are encouraged to call 07802476111 to be reunited.
A Southport man has been arrested after he was alleged to have been caught in an online child sexual exploitation trap. The 70-year-old man has not been charged with any offence but was arrested by police after being confronted on his doorstep by a social media group whose work is related to exposing paedophiles. The man was arrested by police just days after the video was published online, and the group gave detectives a file of ‘evidence’. Police say they arrested the man on suspicion of sexual communication with a child. He has since been bailed, and a full police-led…
Police are carrying out stop and search investigations across Southport today. One man on a pedal bike was pulled over on Aughton Road this morning after catching the eye of officers. It’s not known if the searches are related to a broad daylight incident that happened on Manchester Road yesterday around 4.30pm. A group of masked youths were chased away from an apartment block near to the Farmfoods store after after their behaviour raised suspicions. A resident of the complex was alerted to their suspicious behaviour and attempted to chase them away from the apartments. An eye witness told OTS…
Opposition councillors in Southport have hit out at Sefton Council claiming their latest Southport Pier news in the build up to the local election was designed to benefit the Labour Party. Councils are not allowed to publish any media that could be seen to promote a particular political party or political message. Lib Dem leader Cllr John Pugh says timing of The councils announcement about ‘appointing’ a contractor for the pier refurbishment raised suspicions. “We are quite used to seeing the Council’s Press Department being used as the propaganda arm of the Labour administration”, says Cllr John Pugh, Liberal Democrat…
Southport Theatre will be demolished in a matter of weeks as historic items from the venue are being saved. The crumbling and closed down theatre will be demolished ‘in early summer’ according to the council. They added that before bulldozers roll in they have ‘rescued’ historic items from the venue including film projectors. Phil Porter, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said: “The Marine Lake Events Centre is going to be managed by one of the most experienced companies in the world, bringing more than half a million new visitors to Southport each year and generating an annual £18 million boost…
Fire crews are currently dealing with a fire at an apartment block in Southport Town Centre. Crews from Manchester Road station were called just after 1pm today to reports that a fire had broken out at a flat on Market Street. OTS understands the fire has occurred inside an apartment block near to the junction with King Street at the rear of the Carlton pub Appliances remain on scene and traffic is being diverted away. The road has been closed by police and people are being asked to stay away. An eye witness told OTS News that smoke from the…
Ainsdale Party Candidate Votes % Status Liberal Democrats Lynne Thompson 1978 51.47% Elected Labour Frank Hanley 1193 31.04% Not Elected Conservatives Ryan Abbott 527 13.71% Not Elected Green Party Laurence Rankin 145 3.77% Not Elected Majority 785 Registered Electors 10061 Rejected Ballots 27 Result LIB DEM Hold Birkdale Party Candidate Votes % Status Labour Sonya Kelly 1435 41.61% Elected Liberal Democrats Erin Harvey 1357 39.34% Not Elected Conservatives Sam Harris 489 14.18% Not Elected Green Party Jeff Bee 168 4.87% Not Elected Majority 78 Registered Electors 10018 Rejected Ballots 24 Result LAB Hold Blundellsands Party Candidate Votes % Status Labour…
Police have closed off a stretch of road near Bedford Park this morning following a car accident. Officers were called to Kew Road after two cars collided just after 9am today. Paramedics were also called to check over the occupants of one of the vehicles. Bus routes on the 46 and 49 routes around the area are being disrupted as a result of the temporary closure. Officers remain on scene and have taken witnesses statements from those involved. OTS News understands both drivers stopped at the scene and are cooperating.
Merseyside Police are appealing for help in finding a man from Southport who is wanted on a warrant issued by Liverpool Crown Court relating to drug offences. John Paul Remington, aged 19, is wanted after a warrant was issued for possessing Class A controlled drugs with the intent to supply. He is 6 ft 2 inches tall, of medium build, with short brown hair and green eyes. He has links to areas in Ainsdale and Birkdale. If you see John Paul or hold any information, contact Merseyside Police via @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, or anonymously…
The creation of the hugely anticipated Marine Lake Events Centre can now take another landmark step forward as demolition preparations begin. Sefton Council have selected specialist demolition company, the DSM Group, to carry out the demolition of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, with preparations set to take place on site in the coming days. This milestone follows on from significant preparatory works involving the creation of a bespoke bird raft for any disturbed wildlife and the diversion of underground pipework away from site, which was completed significantly ahead of schedule by contractors Dowhigh. Sefton Council have already announced…
A young musical talent from Southport has fulfilled an incredible dream of playing piano in front of millions. Brooke Shotton had a starring role on the Channel 4 show The Piano, where millions watched as she performed in Manchester Piccadilly in front of internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang and pop star Mika. Brooke, 21, was watched on by her adoring friends and family who had initially encouraged her to sign up for the show after watching a previous series. The Southport born law student told OTS News “I was really nervous because it meant so much to me and it…
Merseyside Police are appealing for help in finding a 15-year-old girl who is missing from home in Southport. Emily Kalthoeber, was last seen at around 3pm on Sunday 28th April. She is described as a white female, 5ft 4in tall, of slim build, with very long straight hair, blue eyes and glasses. When last seen she was wearing a black puffer jacket, leggings and black and white trainers and carrying a black JD bag. She is known to frequent the Southport and North Sefton areas. Anyone who has seen Emily is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call 101. Sightings can…
A specialist team for the delivery of the Southport Pier refurbishment project has now been finalised. The collective of industry-leading experts identified to bring one of Southport’s most iconic attractions back into use have been busy working alongside Sefton Council since the temporary closure was announced. Their work will ensure the delivery of Southport Pier’s refurbishment is in the best possible position once funding is available, which Sefton Council is continually work tirelessly to identify. It is estimated that the full refurbishment works required to ensure the Pier can open safely again could exceed £13 million, more than £10 million…
Southport Hesketh beat Penwortham St Teresas (U17) 5-2 to reach the Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy Final where they will meet Atherton Laburnham Rovers at Bamber Bridge FC on Wednesday 8 May at 7.30pm. There was a sensational start to the tie with referee Mark Hughes awarding two penalties in the first five minutes. Joe Clayton stepped up to put St Teresas ahead after just 2 minutes, but the Southport Hesketh pen was brilliantly saved 3 minutes later. St Teresas went further ahead on 33 minutes when Joe Clayton added his and their second. The Southport fight back started two minutes…
Detectives have issued CCTV images of a man who could have information that may assist with their enquiries following an assault in Southport. At around 11.30pm on Friday 12 April, two men and a woman entered The Southport Coaster pub on Lord Street when an argument between them occurred. The woman became aggressive and was escorted out by a member of staff. However, one man assaulted the member of staff by pushing him to the floor, then punched and kicked him. The male suspect then made off towards the Prince of Wales hotel. CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing to…
Angry scenes broke out at a Sefton Council meeting at Southport Town Hall on Thursday night, as a motion in support of a ceasefire in Palestine and Israel was watered down by amendments. An intial motion from Councillors Natasha Carlin and Sean Halsall, who recently resigned from the Labour Party, called upon Sefton Council to contact Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Leader Keir Starmer to ‘express the Council’s view that there should be an urgent and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the rest of Palestine and Israel and that every effort should be made to resume the peace process, including…
An XL Bully and two other dogs have been put down after a woman was attacked in a house in Southport. Police were called to a house on Victory Avenue on Tuesday afternoon after a 999 call saying that a woman needed medical attention. Officers attended and found the victim had been attacked by three dogs. A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm we received a report that a woman was attacked by dogs in Southport on Tuesday, April 16. At around 2.15pm it was reported that a woman was attacked by three dogs, one which was an XL…
A Southport councillor who last week broke away from the Labour Party says he’s setting his sights on becoming the town’s MP. Cllr Sean Halsall, who announced he was stepping away from the Labour Party after much contemplation, has now launched a fundraising campaign to help him stand as an Independent in the next general election. In a statement he wrote “Until recently I was a member of the Labour Party. Over the last couple of years I’ve struggled with the slow removal of transformative policies within the party. We can and should expect better. After leaving I have had…
Two men were arrested and suspected cocaine seized in Southport yesterday (Thursday 11 April) after a car was stopped. At around 1pm, officers stopped the car on Falkland Road and detained two men inside. Following a search of the men, a large quantity of white powder was discovered. More suspected cocaine was found during a search of a nearby house, as well as a large quantity of cannabis, cash and paraphernalia linked to drug supply. A 52-year-old man and a 46-year-old man, both from Birkdale, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs…
A pizza restaurant in the heart of Hillside appears to be the victim of a malicious vandal. The unknown male, who has now been caught on CCTV, attacked the glass frontage of 600 Degrees Pizza in Hillside in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 6th April) Police are asking anyone who may be able to identify the individual to call 101 The male was caught on camera wearing a dark blue raincoat and riding an electric white muddy fox branded bike. It’s the second time the restaurant has been targeted after it was covered in graffiti a fortnight ago.…