To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Pupils from Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s school have pleaded for peace in a video to mark one year since the nine-year-old was shot and killed.
In the touching video, children, members of the community and Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, read a poem about the power of community spirit in the wake of her death.
Thomas Cashman, 34, received a minimum 42-year prison sentence for the murder of Olivia, who was shot in Dovecot, Liverpool, last August after Cashman chased another man into her home.
Youngsters from Olivia’s school St Margaret Mary’s in Huyton, Merseyside, along with pupils from Malvern and Park Brow primary schools, tell viewers: ‘We could be family with no enemies. We’ll never know if we don’t try it.’
Mum Cheryl, who was hurt during the terrifying attack, says at the end of the video: ‘Make sure we never deny it.’
Liverpool-born Curtis Watts wrote the poem, working with the pupils and the local community to develop the words.
After Olivia’s murder, Merseyside Police and partners launched Evolve Liverpool and Knowsley, a Home Office-designed initiative to disrupt and deter organised crime groups.
Olivia was just nine when she died (Picture: PA)
Pupils from Olivia’s school and others recite the poem (Picture: PA)
Youngsters helped contribute ideas towards the poem (Picture: PA)
The scheme has led to 379 arrests, three firearm seizures, and 44 premises searches between January and July this year, according to Merseyside Police.
More than 4kg of suspected class A and B drugs were seized during the same period and 39 safeguarding referrals were made.
Chief Superintendent Zoe Thornton, who is the head of local policing and oversees the Evolve work carried out by Merseyside Police, said: ‘A year ago today we were left shattered by the callous murder of Olivia.
‘Olivia’s death was the fourth death that month at the hands of reckless criminals prepared to wield a gun.
Olivia’s mum Cheryl Korbel took also part in the video (Picture: PA)
The video has been released to mark a year since Olivia’s death (Picture: PA)
‘The strength of Merseyside lies in its communities, and by harnessing that strength we can break the cycle of crime and make our neighbourhoods safer for generations to come.”
Liverpool City Council leader councillor Liam Robinson said: “The senseless murder of Olivia made us ask that most uncomfortable of questions: what type of world are we living in, where our children aren’t safe in their home?
‘If you want to show your respects for Olivia and her family on the first anniversary of her death, then speak up when you see those who do wrong.
The children urged people to be kind to one another (Credits: PA)
Chief Superintendent Zoe Thornton said the strength of Merseyside lies in its communities (Picture: PA)
‘To turn a blind eye only serves those who seek to cause harm. And it unpicks that sense of togetherness.’
Earlier this month it was revealed a witness in Olivia’s murder trial was attacked at his home by a masked knifeman.
The masked assailant reportedly ‘kicked in the door’ of Nicholas McHale, a Merseyside man who previously testified in support of child-killer Thomas Cashman.
Mr McHale was called as a witness by Cashman’s defence team in his trial.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
The video was released to mark one year since nine-year-old Olivia was shot and killed in Liverpool.