Merseyside Police became the guardians of the torch for a week following a fantastic handover on Sunday April 30th at the Pier Head, Liverpool.

From the initial meetings through to the organisation and planning, we knew we wanted to showcase our beautiful city at its best but in particular, highlight the incredibly special people that work for Merseyside Police.

We reached out to many departments across the Force and were overwhelmed with the response we got.

Due to the Bank Holiday the torch started its way around the Force on Tuesday May 2nd with visits to police stations at Lower Lane, Walton Lane, Stanley Road and St Anne Street, Smithdown Lane and Wavertree. It also called at the Croxteth Training and Development Academy (NWAS and MFRS) and managed to visit both Everton and Liverpool Football clubs. In the afternoon it visited Mounted and Dog section staff (human, canine and equine!) at Mather Avenue and then made its way to the Police & Crime Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, at Allerton Police Station. She shared an incredibly supportive post on social media to show her commitment to the message of challenging the stigma of talking about mental health and the torch then rounded off the day with a visit to John Lennon airport.

On Wednesday May 3rd another busy day was lined up and we were blessed with beautiful sunny weather. The torch was met by the Chief Constable Andy Cooke QPM and senior officers of Merseyside Police followed by the hardworking staff in admin, finance and ICT at various locations around the city centre.

We then met our colleagues from the British Transport Police at Lime Street Station who were delighted to be part of the relay.

Then it was off to the dizzy heights with a visit to the Radio City tower in company with three PCSO’s. Some fantastic photographs and a meeting with the on air DJ was a great way to spread the message.

Next on the list was a trip on the iconic Mersey Ferry. We were very privileged to be allowed to visit the bridge and chat with the crew who also shared their stories of having to deal with distressing situations sometimes and they were really happy to see such a positive message being highlighted.

A trip around the police stations and staff on the Wirral was the order of the afternoon and we ended a brilliant day by being welcomed by Rachel Gilbert and the staff at Wirral Mind. Some very welcome tea and biscuits were provided and a chance to engage with some of their service users was a lovely way to end the day.

Thursday 4th May – Star Wars day! (I had to resist the temptation of posing with the torch as a light saber….)

Another beautifully sunny day and the torch visited the Sefton area of Merseyside. Police stations at Southport, Crosby, Marsh Lane (accompanied by partner agencies from the local housing and support groups) and a fantastic visit to the iconic Iron Men on Crosby beach provided some beautiful photographs.

A visit to the busy Police Control Room followed and then a short spell locked in a cell at Copy Lane custody suite! Luckily we broke it out in time for the following day’s activities J

Friday 5th May saw the torch visiting Kirkby, Huyton, Halewood and St Helens. Another sporting visit to St Helens Rugby League club followed by Lea Green training academy and Newton Le Willows made for another successful day of engagement.

The torch handover took place on Sunday May 7th and lots of staff came to see it on its way. It made its way through the iconic streets of Liverpool, visited the Cathedrals (we famously have two!) and towards the steps of St Georges Hall where it was met by the Tunnel Police who then took the torch on the next stage of its journey to Cheshire Police.

It’s fair to say we had a brilliant week. So many conversations were started, awareness was raised and information provided to staff about challenging stigmas and how to seek help and support. We felt extremely privileged to be share in the Our Blue Light Mental Health Relay and are keenly following its progress with our colleagues in other Forces and services and cheering them on all the way.

The week could not have been done without the brilliant organisational skills of Cassie McConnell, Superintendent Helen Corcoran and Inspector Debbie Rayment along with the countless staff members along the way providing assistance so to them and all the staff a big Blue Light Thankyou!

Joanne Lloyd

Merseyside Police

Joanne Lloyd

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