Jamie Carragher urges city to "come together" against violence
The Reds legend spoke to us as we launched the #NotInMyCity campaign
Last updated 16th Feb 2024
#NotInMyCity Exclusive: Reds legend Jamie Carragher has urged the people of Merseyside to "come together" after a series of shocking and violent incidents on the city's streets.
The former Liverpool defender was speaking as Greatest Hits Radio launches the #NotInMyCity campaign to shine a light on ongoing issues which have seen innocent people caught up in tragic events.
"It's hit me and my family"
Carra said the recent death of Olivia Pratt-Korbel shocked him.
He told us: "I think the devastating news of the death of Olivia really hit the city, I think it really has. It's hit me and my family and at times like this there's no city like our in terms of coming together.
READ: Police Commissioner welcomes #NotInMyCity campaign
Nine year old Olivia died after a gunman opened fire in her home while chasing another man.
Her death made national headlines and left heartbroken communities here in shock, and parents worried about their own safety and the safety of their children.
Praise for spirit of city
Carra told us now is the time to stand together, to reject violence and fight against these sorts of acts.
He told our #NotInMyCity campaign: "Right now, what's going on in our city is something that we've got to come together and fight against.
READ: 90% young people in Merseyside witness youth violence
"Families are worried about what their kids can get involved in, or whether they can even go out on the streets and I think as a community we've all got to come together and be strong"
He added: "As a city we are fantastic in so many ways in supporting each other, coming together and uniting as one, and this is time to do exactly the same right now"
#NotInMyCity anti-violence event
Carragher was speaking ahead of a #NotInMyCity anti-violence summit at the Radio City Tower, where local stakeholders, services, youth groups and bereaved families are due to come together to discuss the spate of incidents we've seen in the last year, and look at the reasons why they're happening.
The summit will also look at overall trends of violent crime, and what measures can be put in place to reduce these types of incidents in the future.