Plymouth shooting: Local MP says there is a 'determination' that the city will get through this together
Luke Pollard has been reflecting one year on from the tragedy in Keyham
Last updated 8th Aug 2022
A Plymouth MP says we need to make sure that help is "long lasting" and will be there for "many years to come", nearly one year on from the shooting in Keyham.
Luke Pollard – for Sutton and Devonport – says it has been an incredibly difficult year, adding that some people have processed the events, while others are still taking time to do so.
He tells us that there is not a right or wrong way as to how you feel about what happened last year:
"I'm afraid the anniversary events will be bringing back an awful lot of difficult memories for people. As it will do the families of the victims, those who survived and those who saw stuff and felt stuff on that day.
"I'm afraid we've got a long way to go, but the way that we have all pulled together, I have to say, makes me enormously proud."
WATCH: Plymouth MP Luke Pollard reflects one year on from the tragedy in Keyham
Very soon after the events in Keyham last year, the Plymouth Together Fund was launched – to raise vital funds for the families, survivors and the local communities impacted.
So far, more than £100,000 has been raised and the process of distributing the money has already begun.
The Government also provided more than £1 million of initial funding to support recovery efforts after the tragedy.
On top of this, they provided nearly £800,000 worth of funding to support children’s services in the Keyham area. The Home Office also pledged £800,000 to pay for additional policing and CCTV.
But Mr Pollard says that there is still more to be done:
"We need to make sure that the support services are still there. That means making sure that our community centres, that council services, and the policing levels continue; so everyone knows, wherever they are, whatever time they feel able to talk, that there will be someone available to help them.
"Now that will take a long time and it will cost money and we need to make that case that this is money well spent, because in my mind the tragedy that we saw in Keyham should be something that we seek to never repeat ever again as a country.
"Let's learn the lessons and let's make sure that the words that were given in Plymouth after the tragedy last year about help and support are long lasting, and the support is long lasting."
Plymouth lost five people and saw two others injured following the shooting on August 12, 2021.
This Friday, members of the public are invited to pay their respects and light candles near Smeaton’s Tower on the Hoe.