'Credible' names and information have been passed to community leaders and on to the police in the hunt for the killer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Community and council figures in the Dovecot area said they have been passed the same name - linked to the killing of Olivia - by a number of local sources, which they have passed on to the police. Councillors said they believe the information they have received is credible and could help to track down the nine-year-old's killer.
Earlier today, a 35-year-old man who ran into Olivia's home in Kingsheath Avenue while being shot at on Monday night was named as convicted burglar Joseph Nee. Nee was arrested this morning for breaching his licence conditions, it is expected he will be recalled to serve the remainder of his sentence.
READ MORE: Target of shooting that killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel is convicted burglar
The person who fired the shots at Nee as he ran into the family home, killing Olivia and injuring her mother, remains at large. Police are continuing to ask for people to come forward with information to help them track down the killer.
While local people are understandably scared, one place they have felt comfortable to come to pass on information is The Drive community centre, which is just a stone's throw from the scene of the tragic crime in Finch Lane. Others are now being urged to bring information to the community centre.
Councillor Peter Mitchell has been based at the centre for the past two days, encouraging people to come forward with information. He said: "We've had people name names, we have passed them on straight away. We got the same name given to us by two different sources, we passed them straight on to the police. There was more information this morning and we've spoken to detectives again."
"Is there some reticence from some people to come forward? Of course there is. They are scared and are recovering from news of a child being murdered in her own home. We would all be scared. But everybody around here wants these people found. Everyone who has come through the door has said they want them found, you can feel that palpably."
Cllr Mitchell added: "We wanted this place to be here for the community during this difficult time. We didn't exactly know what that meant yesterday when we opened, we wanted to be open for people and they have come in for as chat and some company and others have passed on information, which we have passed on to the police. We have had people coming in and passing what we absolutely consider to be credible information.
"If there is one message to get out, it is that if you do have information, please do come and tell us and we will tell the police. If you don't feel comfortable speaking to police then speak to us."
Joanne Kennedy has run the Drive Centre for the past two years and lives locally. She said: "I've had conversations with local residents, they have said that online people are really frightened, there has been a bit of a wall of silence online. So having somewhere like this where people can pass on information anonymously is really important.
She added: "There are some people who are reluctant to speak to the police and they have spoken to us. We have also have an anonymous box, where people can write a name, even if they don't want to say anything."
Earlier today Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said: “Our enquiries continue into the shocking murder of Olivia, and supporting her family as they try to come to terms with this tragedy. I would like to echo the words of our Chief Constable yesterday appeal to the community to keep helping this family in every way possible.
"We will do all we can to take all of these involved in gun crime off the streets, as this arrest demonstrates. This is not the time for anyone who knows who was responsible to stay silent.
"It is a time for us all to make Merseyside a place where the use of guns on our streets is totally unacceptable and those who use them are held to account. If you saw, heard, captured or know anything, tell us directly or anonymously and we will continue to act.
"Anyone with information, footage or images is asked to contact us via the following link Public Portal ( mipp.police.uk ), @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000621566."
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