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Funeral for shooting victim Rhys Funeral for shooting victim Rhys
(9 minutes later)
Hundreds of people, wearing football shirts and bright clothing have arrived at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral to pay their respects to Rhys Jones. The coffin of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones, emblazoned with the badge of his beloved Everton, was carried into church by his father and brother.
The Merseyside cathedral holds 2,300 people and has erected speakers outside to accommodate the expected crowds. Hundreds of people wearing football shirts and bright clothing had arrived at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral for the funeral of the 11-year-old.
Rhys's own football team arrived wearing their kit and black armbands, with his number 11 shirt missing.
Rhys was fatally shot in Croxteth Park on 22 August.
He will be buried later at a private ceremony for family and friends.He will be buried later at a private ceremony for family and friends.
Eleven-year-old Rhys, who was a fan of Everton Football Club, was fatally shot in Croxteth Park on 22 August. His killer has not yet been found. His killer has not yet been found.
A team of local builders also downed tools to pay their respects and hung a makeshift banner from the site's scaffolding bearing the message 'Rest in Peace Rhys'. Homemade placards
In line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds filing towards the church have worn a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes. The Merseyside cathedral holds 2,300 people and has erected speakers outside to accommodate the expected crowds.
The majority have put on the blue shirts of Rhys's team Everton and many carried homemade placards and banners displaying the youngster's picture and messages of sympathy. A team of local builders downed tools to pay their respects and hung a makeshift banner from the site's scaffolding bearing the message 'Rest in Peace Rhys'.
In line with his parents' wishes the hushed crowds inside and outside the church wore a mixture of football shirts and bright clothes.
Police closed off the road, which was lined with hundreds of mourners, leading up to the cathedral as the funeral procession neared.Police closed off the road, which was lined with hundreds of mourners, leading up to the cathedral as the funeral procession neared.
The Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, said Rhys's family wanted as many people as possible to come to the cathedral service.The Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, said Rhys's family wanted as many people as possible to come to the cathedral service.
"One of the lovely things about the city of Liverpool is the way people come together, there's such solidarity," he said."One of the lovely things about the city of Liverpool is the way people come together, there's such solidarity," he said.
I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness Right Reverend James Jones,Bishop of LiverpoolI think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness Right Reverend James Jones,Bishop of Liverpool
"That's why they've taken this unusual step, really, of asking for the service to be in the cathedral so it can be open to as many members of the public as want to come."That's why they've taken this unusual step, really, of asking for the service to be in the cathedral so it can be open to as many members of the public as want to come.
"The presence of other people in the city is going to be a great strength to them on such a sad day.""The presence of other people in the city is going to be a great strength to them on such a sad day."
The Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, also said that Rhys's murder was part of an "epidemic of adolescent lawlessness" and called for the establishment of a commission to look for solutions to the problem. He added: "I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness."
"I think we have got to have a round-table commission and find out what we can do, because there seems to be a epidemic of adolescent lawlessness," he said. Rhys Jones was a keen supporter of Everton football club and its players were greeted by applause as they entered the church.
"We don't want to demonise young people because there are some wonderful young people in our country, but there is an issue about young people being out of control, especially in some parts of our city. The funeral procession had travelled from the Jones family home in Croxteth and went past Goodison Park, home to Everton.
"We have got to ask what can we do with these young people and how as a society can we bring up our young people to be responsible citizens."
Every senior player who is not on international duty will attend Ian Ross, Everton FC spokesman
Rhys Jones was a keen supporter of Everton football club and spokesman for the club Ian Ross said it would have a "pronounced" presence at the funeral.
Representatives will include club president, Sir Philip Carter, manager David Moyes and up to 15 senior players.
The funeral procession started from the Jones family home in Croxteth and went past Goodison Park, home to Everton.
"Every senior player who is not on international duty will attend," he said.
Personal messagePersonal message
"They all wanted to be there. They see it as their duty really, and those who can't attend are very sorry they will not be able to pay their respects to Rhys.
"Our chairman, Bill Kenwright, is unable to get back from the United States on time and he has sent a personal message to the family saying his thoughts are with them."
Liverpool FC were represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough.Liverpool FC were represented by former players Brian Hall, Phil Neal and David Fairclough.
Pupils and staff from Rhys's former primary school, Broad Square, also attended the funeral.Pupils and staff from Rhys's former primary school, Broad Square, also attended the funeral.
Police chiefs at a firearms conference in Birmingham held a minute's silence for Rhys in the hours leading up to the service.Police chiefs at a firearms conference in Birmingham held a minute's silence for Rhys in the hours leading up to the service.
So far Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people in the murder investigation.So far Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people in the murder investigation.
Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge. They are now being treated as witnesses.Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge. They are now being treated as witnesses.
You can watch Rhys Jones' funeral on the BBC News website from 1400 BST .You can watch Rhys Jones' funeral on the BBC News website from 1400 BST .