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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Plea to 'brave' Rhys case caller | Plea to 'brave' Rhys case caller |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Detectives investigating the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool have asked a man who provided "key information" to contact them again. | |
| Det Supt Dave Kelly, from Merseyside Police, said the man had been very brave in contacting them and promised to look after him if he called back. | Det Supt Dave Kelly, from Merseyside Police, said the man had been very brave in contacting them and promised to look after him if he called back. |
| A total of 11 arrests have been made since the killing on 22 August. | A total of 11 arrests have been made since the killing on 22 August. |
| Police are continuing to question a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murdering Rhys Jones. | Police are continuing to question a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murdering Rhys Jones. |
| Rhys, 11, was shot by a teenager on a BMX bike near the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth as he walked home from playing football. | |
| Det Supt Kelly, leading the investigation, said there were still people "who have not yet come forward". | Det Supt Kelly, leading the investigation, said there were still people "who have not yet come forward". |
| "I know there are still people out there that will provide key information that will bring this killer to justice," he said at a press conference on Wednesday," he said. | "I know there are still people out there that will provide key information that will bring this killer to justice," he said at a press conference on Wednesday," he said. |
| Rhys police search wood | Rhys police search wood |
| "We need to trace everybody who was in this area. You may hold vital information." | "We need to trace everybody who was in this area. You may hold vital information." |
| "There is one man who has rung in and provided key information and I thank him for making that call. He is very brave. | "There is one man who has rung in and provided key information and I thank him for making that call. He is very brave. |
| "I will personally speak to you and I will look after you by whatever methods we have available to us. | "I will personally speak to you and I will look after you by whatever methods we have available to us. |
| "I would like to say this to the killer. What you have done is wrong, we need to deal with you. | "I would like to say this to the killer. What you have done is wrong, we need to deal with you. |
| "It is only a matter of time before we get you. Please come forward for the family's sake." | "It is only a matter of time before we get you. Please come forward for the family's sake." |
| Officers searched nearby Dam Wood on Tuesday after a tip-off from a member of the public. | Officers searched nearby Dam Wood on Tuesday after a tip-off from a member of the public. |
| Diver search | Diver search |
| A total of 46 officers, supported by police sniffer dogs and specialist equipment, combed the wood between Croxteth and the Croxteth Park Estate. | A total of 46 officers, supported by police sniffer dogs and specialist equipment, combed the wood between Croxteth and the Croxteth Park Estate. |
| Divers joined the search of the woodland which contains three large ponds. | Divers joined the search of the woodland which contains three large ponds. |
| Detectives had previously arrested and released 10 teenage suspects, four without charge and six on police bail. | Detectives had previously arrested and released 10 teenage suspects, four without charge and six on police bail. |
| They have also pledged that anonymity will be given to witnesses. | They have also pledged that anonymity will be given to witnesses. |
| Special measures have been agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure those who give evidence in court will be allowed to use video links or sit behind a screen. | Special measures have been agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure those who give evidence in court will be allowed to use video links or sit behind a screen. |
| Liverpool fans put aside football differences on Tuesday night | Liverpool fans put aside football differences on Tuesday night |
| Some potential witnesses have been reluctant to reveal their identities or give signed statements. | Some potential witnesses have been reluctant to reveal their identities or give signed statements. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police, described call to the Crimestoppers number as "fantastic" and pledged that all information would "be acted upon". | Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police, described call to the Crimestoppers number as "fantastic" and pledged that all information would "be acted upon". |
| But she added: "We now need to make that information into witness statements. I know that can be a big step for people who are concerned for their identity. | But she added: "We now need to make that information into witness statements. I know that can be a big step for people who are concerned for their identity. |
| "But special measures can be taken to protect them in the courts. | "But special measures can be taken to protect them in the courts. |
| "We can protect them and we will help them bring Rhys's killer to justice." | "We can protect them and we will help them bring Rhys's killer to justice." |
| Local rivals | Local rivals |
| On Tuesday night Rhys's family was given a standing ovation by thousands of football fans at Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC. | On Tuesday night Rhys's family was given a standing ovation by thousands of football fans at Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC. |
| Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez walked along the touchline to hug Rhys's mother Melanie, 41, and shake hands with his father Stephen, 41, and brother Owen, 17. | Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez walked along the touchline to hug Rhys's mother Melanie, 41, and shake hands with his father Stephen, 41, and brother Owen, 17. |
| The family were wearing the blue colours of local rivals Everton FC in a sea of red but football loyalties were set aside. | The family were wearing the blue colours of local rivals Everton FC in a sea of red but football loyalties were set aside. |
| Messages were also broadcast over the public address system ahead of the match appealing for witnesses to the shooting to come forward. | Messages were also broadcast over the public address system ahead of the match appealing for witnesses to the shooting to come forward. |
| Footballer Steven Gerrard has also spoken out in support of the police investigation. | Footballer Steven Gerrard has also spoken out in support of the police investigation. |
| "The reception that Rhys's family got at Anfield last night was fantastic and showed that everyone in the city has been affected by this tragic event," he said. | "The reception that Rhys's family got at Anfield last night was fantastic and showed that everyone in the city has been affected by this tragic event," he said. |
| "I would appeal to anyone, who has any information at all, to please contact the police and help find those who were responsible for this terrible crime." | "I would appeal to anyone, who has any information at all, to please contact the police and help find those who were responsible for this terrible crime." |