Rhys Jones: Brown pledges new gun powers for Liverpool

Sep 24 2007

GORDON BROWN was today outlining new measures to tackle gun crime in the wake of the Rhys Jones shooting.

The prime minister revealed that Merseyside police would be one of four forces given new powers to get weapons off the streets.

Officers will be equipped with handheld detectors and will be allowed to stop and search potential suspects even if they are not acting suspiciously.

Mr Brown promised more dedicated police squads poured into crime hotspots to break the power of the gangs.

He said: “The possession of handguns is already outlawed. Now we are determined to block the trafficking of guns which are supplied to street gangs.”

Meanwhile, Merseyside police addressed a public meeting in Croxteth Park on Saturday to inform residents of their progress in the investigation into the murder of Rhys Jones.

Senior officers told the packed crowd at Emmaus primary school they could not reveal precise details, but asked for community trust.

They also said revealed a mobile police station would be set up in the area near where Rhys was gunned down on August 22.

The event was organised by the Croxteth Park Residents’ Association to discuss policing and the creation of a new community centre in memory of the youngster.

Croxteth councillor Phil Moffatt said hundreds of people had attended the meeting, which lasted more than two hours.

He said: “To get that many people is phenomenal. Some people were still numb at what happened, some were argumentative about the policing, but most were supportive of the police measures.”

Police urged the community to come forward with any information about Rhys’s death and anti-social behaviour in general.

Officers announced that a mobile police station would be set up on in an attempt to curb criminal behaviour.

The meeting also involved discussion of closing off certain roads to limit accessibility and reduce crime.

When asked about the progress of the search for Rhys’s killer, assistant chief constable Simon Byrne said: “In terms of the investigation into Rhys’s killing, it is not appropriate for anyone of us standing here today at a public forum to start talking in detail at a public forum about that investigation.

“If someone is charged, and we’re confident that they will be in the future, there is going to be a process and a trial. We can’t afford to corrupt that trial.

“We have ’ve got some of our top experts and specialists working on this particular case.

“But it is complex and we’ve got to get it right, so as soon as there is a breakthrough you will know about it, but you have to trust us on this one.”

West Derby MP Bob Wareing said: “I think there should be a permanent memorial and it should be something that our children and our future children will be able to use for years.”

Merseyside Police have so far made a number of arrests since the shooting, but no-one has been charged.