This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/7347817.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Twelve arrested over Rhys murder | Twelve arrested over Rhys murder |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones. | Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones. |
| They were held by Merseyside Police in a series of dawn raids in the Croxteth area of the city. | They were held by Merseyside Police in a series of dawn raids in the Croxteth area of the city. |
| Two youths, aged 16 and 17, and two men, aged 24 and 25, were being held on suspicion of murdering the 11-year-old schoolboy in August 2007. | Two youths, aged 16 and 17, and two men, aged 24 and 25, were being held on suspicion of murdering the 11-year-old schoolboy in August 2007. |
| Three youths, two men and three women were being held for alleged offences including assisting an offender. | Three youths, two men and three women were being held for alleged offences including assisting an offender. |
| Rhys was shot in the neck as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on 22 August. | Rhys was shot in the neck as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on 22 August. |
| Merseyside police raided a number of homes early on Tuesday. | Merseyside police raided a number of homes early on Tuesday. |
| A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, attempting to pervert the course of justice and possession of a firearm and ammunition. | A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, attempting to pervert the course of justice and possession of a firearm and ammunition. |
| A 49-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice. | A 49-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice. |
| A youth, 17, is also being held on suspicion of assisting an offender. | A youth, 17, is also being held on suspicion of assisting an offender. |
| The three women, aged 50, 54 and 21, and a 22-year-old man, have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice. | The three women, aged 50, 54 and 21, and a 22-year-old man, have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice. |
| Following the arrests, Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, paid tribute to Rhys's parents Stephen, 45, and Melanie, 42, for their support and patience. | Following the arrests, Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, paid tribute to Rhys's parents Stephen, 45, and Melanie, 42, for their support and patience. |
| He said: "The public and Rhys's parents have been very supportive throughout and we are grateful for their ongoing confidence in the investigation." | |
| Everton FC chaplain Rev Harry Ross also praised the youngster's parents for their strength and support. | |
| 'Loving family' | |
| "Rhys has been a part of a very wonderful and loving family," he said. | |
| "They have been beacons in a very dark period for everybody and when you are with them it's like being in a cocoon of love and care. I think they have really been wonderful." | |
| Rhys held an Everton season ticket. | |
| Before today, a further 20 people had been arrested over the killing outside the Fir Tree pub eight months ago, including 17 on suspicion of murder. | Before today, a further 20 people had been arrested over the killing outside the Fir Tree pub eight months ago, including 17 on suspicion of murder. |
| Rhys Jones was shot in the car park of a local pub | Rhys Jones was shot in the car park of a local pub |
| No one has been charged, but some of those arrested are now being treated as witnesses. | No one has been charged, but some of those arrested are now being treated as witnesses. |
| In the weeks following the shooting, amid reports detectives faced a "wall of silence" in the local community, assistant chief constable of Merseyside Police, Patricia Gallan, said people should not be afraid to come forward. | In the weeks following the shooting, amid reports detectives faced a "wall of silence" in the local community, assistant chief constable of Merseyside Police, Patricia Gallan, said people should not be afraid to come forward. |
| "We can put in special measures if you're frightened about your identity becoming revealed, there are things that we can do that will assist and protect your identity," she said. | "We can put in special measures if you're frightened about your identity becoming revealed, there are things that we can do that will assist and protect your identity," she said. |
| In February, Merseyside police said they believed they had found the gun used to shoot the schoolboy. | |
| Several appeals have been made for information, including two on BBC One's Crimewatch programme. | Several appeals have been made for information, including two on BBC One's Crimewatch programme. |