Rhys Jones: Police launch 24-hour patrols

Sep 25 2007 By Ben Rossington

CROXTETH and Norris Green are to have 24-hour police patrols in the wake of Rhys Jones’s murder.

About 55 extra beat bobbies, dog handlers and mounted officers will be sent out to reclaim the streets from the teenage gangs and gun criminals who have brought terror to Liverpool 11.

More foot patrols will also go into Stockbridge Village and north Huyton, and will be on the streets until midnight after Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan- Howe admitted he was concerned about the growing number of gun incidents in those areas.

From November, known hot- spots, believed to include the Strand shops on Scargreen Avenue, Norris Green, and Moss Way, Croxteth, will have their own dedicated police officer.

Every secondary school will also have its own bobby, who will talk to youngsters and build bridges with the local community.

The officers will be taken from duties elsewhere in the force and be in post for at least six months, with that term likely to be stretched to a full year.

The move comes as the chief constable said his officers had to tackle the reality of gun crime head-on.

Mr Hogan-Howe said: “The statistics tell us that gun crime is falling, but an 11-year-old boy was murdered and that is the reality we have to deal with.

“We have to find these guns which appear to be available in the area, make sure young people don’t get hold of them, and if they do lay their hands on a gun, make sure they feel the full weight of the justice system.

“We will specifically target our early efforts to the places we know are worst affected and then move out to cover the whole of the area.

“This is the first time we have done anything like this outside of the city centre. Foot patrols make a big difference to people and we hope it will help residents to come forward and share what they know about gun crime with us.

“It is a huge commitment on our behalf to reassure the public, make them feel safe again and make sure we never have to deal with a tragedy such as Rhys again.”

It is now more than a month since Rhys Jones was shot dead as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park.

Detectives have arrested 17 people, releasing 12 of them on bail, but have yet to charge anyone with the murder of the young Evertonian.

Mr Hogan-Howe said: “We are still dedicated to solving the case, and I have total confidence the murderer will be caught soon, but it is not just about arresting those responsible for Rhys’s terrible death.

“It is about cracking the culture of guns being available and young people thinking it is acceptable to have and to use a gun.”

Chief Supt John Young, area commander for Knowsley and responsible for policing Stockbridge Village and Huyton, said: “We are conscious that we are very close to Croxteth and Norris Green and we have had a number of gun incidents ourselves in recent months.

“The extra officers will crack down on the criminals who use guns who are already in our midst and stop anyone that might come across the border from north Liverpool because of the enhanced presence there.”

Chief Supt Andy Ward, area commander for north Liverpool, said: "We have made a significant impact in Croxteth and Norris Green, but the tragic circumstances of Rhys Jones's shooting show that we still have work to be done.

"This is the next level in rebuilding community confidence, trust, and making absolutely sure we identify those carrying guns an