170 arrests as crackdown on organised crime intensifies following killing of Olivia Pratt-Korbel

UK

A crackdown on serious and organised crime has seen Merseyside Police arrest 170 people over the past week.

Officers have carried out dozens of raids as they continue to appeal for help in finding Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s killer.

The nine-year-old was fatally shot inside her own home last Monday, becoming the third person in Merseyside to lose their lives to gun violence in one week.

Sam Rimmer was killed in a drive-by shooting on 16 August, while Ashley Dale was murdered in her back garden on 21 August.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said it has executed 58 warrants in locations across Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens.

Some 46 vehicles have also been seized in the past seven days, with two firearms recovered.

Detectives also revealed that they have received over 280 submissions of intelligence from people reporting organised crime.

More on Merseyside

“We hope these figures and the relentless work of our officers over the past week shows our commitment in targeting anyone involved in organised crime and removing dangerous weapons and drugs from out streets,” Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said.

Yesterday, “rummage search” dogs were seen in a cordoned area around Olivia’s house – with officers making door-to-door enquiries.

In a fresh appeal on social media, featuring pictures of the schoolgirl, police said: “You know her name, now we need the name of her murderer.”

The post also showed pictures of Sam Rimmer and Ashley Dale, and warned the public: “Silence is not an option.”

It added: “If you’ve got information, and you’re withholding it, you are protecting the killers. We need your information. Provide that information to us, and we’ll do the rest.”

Merseyside Police said anyone with information can contact them via social media or by calling 101.

CCTV, dashcam, and smart doorbell footage can be submitted online via mipp.police.uk.

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Moment police arrest Olivia murder suspect

Over the weekend, police investigating Olivia’s killing released on bail two men who had been arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

They were a 36-year-old man from Huyton and a 33-year-old man from Dovecot. The 36-year-old has been recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence.

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