AnnouncementMerseyside clubs stand together against knife crime

In a joint statement, the three clubs said: “Following the senseless murder of Ava White in Liverpool last week, we are coming together against the carrying of knives and the devastating impact knife and violent crime have on our communities.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to Ava’s family, friends and all those who had the opportunity to know this kind and inspiring young person.

“Liverpool is a city built on compassion and solidarity, and we must take a unified stance – it is not acceptable, for any reason, to carry knives. This is a simple message, yet one that can save hundreds of lives every year.

“We call on our communities to help us reinforce this message and stop the catastrophic impact of knife and violent crime across families and our society.”

LFC Foundation will continue to work with key partners across the city to deliver targeted sessions in the local community to reduce anti-social behaviour and tackle knife and violent crime. It currently delivers these programmes in more than 20 schools and will also upweight this important messaging through its weekly timetable of community sessions across the Liverpool City Region.

Everton in the Community delivers early intervention and rehabilitation support programmes across the Liverpool City Region to help prevent serious violence, tackle gang culture, and protect young people from exploitation. The charity will continue working alongside the Home Office and Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner to empower young people and achieve positive social change in some of the region’s most challenging and hard-to-reach groups.

Tranmere Rovers in the Community runs targeted engagement programmes that consist of constructive sports sessions supported with educational workshops on crime prevention topics including County Lines, knife crime and gang culture across the Wirral. TRIC and Tranmere Rovers are determined to and will fully support initiatives to deter anti-social behaviour and make a positive difference to the region.

Assistant chief constable of Merseyside Police Ngaire Waine said: “We pledge to continue working with our partners to ensure we deter knife crime, educate young people, bring offenders to justice and protect our communities.

“We are doing this through our collaborative #BladeFree campaign, which is specifically designed to help young people steer clear of knife crime and serious violence by providing information on activities and initiatives in their area to help build confidence, aspiration and improve practical skills and employability. Operationally, we also conduct a number of open land searches, stop searches, targeted operations and high visibility patrols, as well as working closely with our communities, the Violence Reduction Partnership, schools and other safeguarding partners.

“Nothing will ever bring back 12-year-old Ava, but I hope with the support of our partners, our ongoing activity and future proactive policing and educational opportunities, we can bring some positive changes to people’s attitude around carrying a knife and ensure no other family have to suffer the way Ava’s have.”

Many people are struggling to come to terms with recent events, and we encourage you to look out for each other during these difficult times. There are also services that can provide specialist support:

• Samaritans: 116 123
• Childline: 0800 1111
• National Domestic Violence Hotline Freephone, run 24 hours by Refuge: 0808 247 2000
• CrimeStoppers: 0800 555 111
• Young Minds Crisis Messenger – text for free, 24/7 support. Text YM to 85258 or visit youngminds.org.uk
• Alder Hey CAMHS Crisis Care Team – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, contact the team on 0151 293 3577