Target Of Liverpool Shooting That Killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, Arrested

Det Ch Supt Mark Kameen said the force was “absolutely dedicated” to ensuring there were sufficient resources to investigate Olivia’s death, as well as the recent shootings of 28-year-old Ashley Dale in Old Swan and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer in Dingle.

He said each case was “receiving first-class treatment and will continue to do so” and that police raids carried out across Liverpool earlier were in response to the deaths and organised crime.

“In effect, Merseyside Police [is] baring its teeth,” he said.

“We’re proactive, we’re hard-edged and we’ll take the fight to the criminal,” he added.

Referencing Merseyside Police’s recent watchdog grading of outstanding for its efforts in tackling organised crime, he said the force was “not asleep here in any way”.

“This hasn’t suddenly jerked us into some sort of activity,” he said.

Officers said the 35-year-old man, now named as Nee, had been recalled to prison to serve the remainder of his licence and would be “further questioned” in connection with Olivia’s death.

Prisoners can be released on licence once they served part of their sentence, but may then be subject to probation supervision and are subject to recall if they breach the conditions of their licence.

The force has previously said:

In a tweet, Prime Minister Boris Johnson saidthe shooting was “horrific” and “senseless” and that his thoughts were with Olivia’s family and “the people of Liverpool”.

He added that Merseyside Police would get “whatever they need to catch those responsible and secure justice for Olivia”.

Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson tweetedthat “someone out there knows who did this”, adding: “For Olivia, and for the safety of our city’s communities, you must come forward.”

“This is daily business for Merseyside Police but now we’re just ramping it up even further.”

“If you saw, heard, captured or know anything, tell us directly or anonymously and we will continue to act.”

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “really pleased” to hear information about who was responsible for Olivia’s murder had been shared with police.

Encouraging others to get in touch with any information they may have, she said “we know somebody out there will know what happened and who is involved”.

Paying tribute on Monday, Olivia’s head teacher Rebecca Wilkinson said St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School in Huyton was in “shock and disbelief”.

She said Olivia was “a little ray of sunshine” and was a “lively little soul [who was] very, very popular with all her peers”.

BBC