Merseyside Head Of Crime: "Gun crime problem isn't solved yet"
Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Green says the force has made significant progress.
Last updated 2nd Oct 2017
The head of Crime for Merseyside Police has told Radio City News that ten years on from the murder of Rhys Jones, the force haven't solved the problem of gun crime. Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Green says they are making significant progress in the fight though:
"Whilst we've made huge strides, the problem isn't solved - and it won't be by the police on our own. "
"We are in a better position now but there's always more we can do. Whilst we've made huge strides, the problem isn't solved and it won't be by the police on our own. We need people to come forward and give us information."
Tuesday marked a decade since 11 year old Rhys was killed by gang member Sean Mercer in Croxteth.
DCS Green said:
"If you look at the period since - we have seen a dramatic reduction in shootings on our streets. We've had peaks and troughs. Some years we've had more shootings than others. But there has been a general decline."
He also went on to say that the only way the force can tackle gun crime is with the help of the local community:
"The last ten or twelve cases we've had victims of gun crime lying in hospital sometimes with life changing injuries refusing to talk to the police and assist us.
"We've seen parents going in to hospital and seeing their children with those injuries, and they haven't assisted and they're telling there children not to assist. I find that abhorrent. I don't understand it"