"Gun crime is something you see on TV or in the newspapers, you don't expect to see it on your doorstep in Wirral."
These are the words of Wallasey councillor Ian Lewis, but they could have been said by many people living in the area of Wirral where 26-year-old Elle Edwards was tragically shot dead on Christmas Eve.
As police continue to investigate the senseless murder, the community is still trying to come to terms with the horrors of the night before Christmas.
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Cllr Ian Lewis said he first heard something had happened when a resident messaged him at 2.30am on Christmas Day, saying they had heard fireworks.
When he realised what had actually happened he was stunned. Asked if this was something he ever expected to happen in the village, Cllr Lewis gave a firm 'no', adding: "Gun crime is something you see on TV or see in the newspapers. You do not expect to see it on your doorstep in Wirral.”
Since Christmas, Cllr Lewis along with councillors Lesley Rennie and Paul Hayes have been speaking to people in the village with the police as part of an ongoing effort to reassure shaken residents.
He said: “People are affected in different ways. There were people in the pub that night so while the police are continuing their investigation, we are looking at what kind of support we can provide.
“The ongoing concern among people is that those who are responsible are brought to justice. They are not used to this kind of incident in this area and where it happened. There are a lot of people who are older here and their families were concerned. I think this is why the police are maintaining their presence and hosting police surgeries.”
Following the tragic events, Cllr Lewis praised the work of local community groups adding: “The community has come together. The support provided by both churches in the village has been outstanding really, whether it’s providing the police with cups of tea or allowing members of the community who wanted to speak or sit in silence.”
Wirral’s council leader Janette Williamson said the council was working with NHS partners and the policy to support people. A 24-hour crisis line has been set up by the council’s public health team on 0800 145 6485 for anyone who is struggling.
Cllr Williamson said: “It was a huge shock. As soon as I heard, I wanted to go and see if there was anything I could do to help. As a mum of a young adult daughter, my heart goes out to the family. Like every parent, you can’t imagine how Elle’s family must feel, the Christmas presents wrapped up that she will never have a chance to open. Her life snatched away in an instant for nothing.
"I went to the Lighthouse on Christmas Day to pay my respects and to see if there was anything I could do to support the teams there. I’ve been back several times, to try to support people there, and to help with the appeal for witnesses.
“Like most people, I was at home when I heard, getting ready for Christmas with my family. It’s heartbreaking to think that for one family in our community that night, their beautiful daughter didn’t come home."
While gun crime is not something that has regularly arrived in Wallasey Village, it has been a rising issue for people living in places like Woodchurch in Wirral with the police launching a crackdown on an organised gang there in December.
Cllr Williamson said: “It’s important to remind ourselves that while this has been a huge shock, incidents like this are very rare. The vast majority of residents here in Wirral are good, law abiding people.
“The actions of an individual do not represent the majority. We have heard so many times that in times of trouble, we should look for the helpers. We have seen so many helpers, from the church opening its doors to the community groups reaching out.”
Moving forward, Cllr Lewis said: “The next step is for the police to collate the evidence and get those people off the streets and out of our community and take their weapons. There is no place for them whether it is in Woodchurch or in Wallasey it doesn’t matter.
“People will know who these people are. Anyone who knows anything no matter how trivial it might seem, let the police know.”
Information in relation to the case can also be passed via 101, DM @MerPolCC or by contacting @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
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