Advice for visitors to the city centre this weekend

This weekend is set to be a busy one for the city with the Mersey River Festival and Bordeaux Wine Festival taking place on Saturday and Sunday and it could result in a very special homecoming if Liverpool Football Club bring home the Champions League Cup.

As a result Merseyside Police is working with our partners, including Liverpool City Council, Culture Liverpool, Merseytravel, British Transport Police and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, to ensure that visitors to the city this weekend have a fantastic time, in a safe environment.

Throughout the weekend there will be extra police officers in the city centre to ensure people can go about their business safely and enjoy all that the night time economy of Liverpool has to offer.

Superintendent Mark Wiggins, said: "We know that this weekend will certainly be a busy time for our region’s pubs, clubs and bars and we want people to come into our city and enjoy themselves.

"There will be a large number of people in the city centre throughout the weekend and we are expecting large numbers of people to come in to the city to the watch the Champions League Final at various venues throughout the city centre on Saturday night.

“We want people coming in to Liverpool city centre to enjoy themselves and our message to people coming into the city is – take some simple steps; keep your bags fastened and phones hidden, stay together and drink responsibly. If you’re coming in to the city on Saturday night to have a few drinks and watch the game make it a night to remember, not a night to forget."

Advice for visitors to the city

Take care of your valuables

• When carrying a bag or handbag, check it's closed with the opening facing towards your body, especially in crowded areas.
• Don't leave shopping bags on display in your car.
• Separate a little money from your handbag. That way, if your bag does get stolen, you can get still get home.
• For men, keep your wallet or valuables out of sight if you can - use an inside buttoned pocket in your coat or jacket.

Cash Points & carrying money

• Take care at cash points. Think about when you need to withdraw cash - 2pm in the afternoon, when there are other people are about, is better than 2am in the morning when the street is quiet.
• Go with a friend
• Don't use cashpoints when you have been drinking
• If you see somebody suspicious hanging around the cashpoint, walk away and go back later
• Look around before inserting your card
• Only take what you need, don't walk around with bundles of cash in your pockets
• Don't count your money in full view of strangers
• Don't keep your PIN number with your cashcard
• Don't ask people to withdraw cash on your behalf and never give your cashcard/PIN number or details of your bank account to anyone
• Report any theft or loss immediately to your bank and the police

Travel

• Plan your journey to and from the city and where possible book a taxi in advance