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The Champion • Wednesday 18 December 2013Police offer freesecurity markingson new bikesScheme launched ina bid to deter thievesReport by Ollie CowanPEOPLE who get a new bike for Christmas arebeing offered a free present in the New Year.Police in Sefton are teaming up with a localbike shop to offer free security marking forbikes and other valuable property.Officers are opening up Formby police stationbetween 1pm and 3pm on Friday, January 3 tohelp people register their belongings on asecure police database and mark them up todeter thieves.And the day before (Thursday, January 2),also between 1pm and 3pm, they will be at abike shop in Station Road, Ainsdale offeringthe same thing.Ainsdale and Formby neighbourhoodinspector, Jim Atherton, said: “This is all aboutprotecting your property and deterring thieves.“At this time of year people will be getting lotsof new stuff for Christmas, much of which willbe expensive and valuable to them.“The last thing we want is find people havingtheir things stolen by ruthless criminals whodon’t care about the misery they cause byhelping themselves to things that aren’t theirs.“By coming along to these free events, youwill be helped by my officers in registering yourbikes, electronics and computers on a securedatabase that the police have access to.“If your property is marked as beingregistered with Immobilise.com, it may deter athief, and if it is still stolen but later recoveredby the police, we’ll know straightaway who therightful owner is.”Immobilise.com works by allowing policeforces throughout the country permanentaccess to a database containing the serialnumbers of every item of property registeredon it.The database links the serial number to thecontact details of the person who registered it.If officers stop a suspected burglar or robberin possession of stolen property, they can makea quick call to Immobilise or a check on thewebsite so see who it really does belong to.Police in Sefton are also encouraging cycliststo put a good quality bike lock on theirChristmas list and, when storing their bikes insheds or garages, ensure the building has goodquality locks and an alarm.Keeping your bike and other valuables awayfrom windows and out of sight under a cover isalso recommended.Sefton Homewatch is also encouragingpeople to protect their property usingSmartwater. Call Merseyside Police on 0151777 3419 or visit the website to find out more.ollie.cowan@champnews.comTell us what you think!editor@champnews.comSFASDA in Southport has launched its Give aGift at Christmas appeal to support localcharities nominated by customers.Earlier this year the store asked people toput forward charities supporting the themesof ‘kids’, ‘warmth’ and ‘food poverty’and the chosen charities are Rock FM Cashfor Kids, which offers gifts to disadvantagedchildren; The Salvation Army and TheSouthport Soup Kitchen, which offers mealsto help the homeless and vulnerable inSouthport.There will be a different theme each weekin–store.Customers can support the charities in twoways: by depositing a token at theVisit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 25Supermarket launches appeal‘We provide an Emergency Service!’Community Life noticeboard, or by buyingan extra gift in fitting with the themes anddropping it off at the collection point.Store manager, Bill Gornall,said:“Christmas is one of our busiest times ofyear but the generosity of our colleaguesand customers never ceases to amaze me.“The nominated charities are all doinggreat work in our community and I hope wecan raise not just funds for them, but donategifts that will help make someone else’sChristmas that little bit better.”For more information visit the store’sCommunity Life noticeboard.ollie.cowan@champnews.comSTOP!IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED FORTHE WINTER VIRUS SEASON?Norovirus, Flu virus, Rotavirus, all common atthis time of year!Don't let them affect your business, your clients, your patients,your staff, your reputation - We can help with over 15 yearsexperience providing assistance to people & business with the fi ghtagainst infections!Whatever your business we can help with effective yetaffordable solutions for:-• Care Homes• Children's Nurseries and Play Centres• Hotels & Restaurants• Doctors Surgeries & Day CentresFor friendly confi dential advice and assistance please contact our team on our24 hour helpline: - 07872 331022 or email: info@decontamin8.co.uk Visit www.decontamin8.co.uk1124657SaleTHE DOBBIES WINTER SALE IS NOW ON.WE’RE CELEBRATING ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTSwith up to50 % reductions.DON’T MISS20 %OFFSELECTED INDOORFURNITURE.Dobbies Garden World | Bentham’s Way | Birkdale | SouthportPR8 4HX | Tel: 01704 552 9201125206www.dobbies.com