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Rhys murder police seal off wood Rhys murder police seal off wood
(about 3 hours later)
Police hunting the killer of 11-year-old Rhys Jones have sealed off a section of woodland in Merseyside close to the scene where he was shot. Police hunting the killer of 11-year-old Rhys Jones have sealed off a section of woodland in Liverpool close to the scene where he was shot.
Dam Wood, between the Croxteth Park Estate and Croxteth in Liverpool, is being searched with dogs. Dam Wood, between the Croxteth Park Estate and Croxteth, is being searched with dogs after a public tip-off.
Rhys was killed outside the Fir Tree pub, Croxteth, on Wednesday as he walked home alone. Rhys was killed outside the Fir Tree pub, Croxteth, on Wednesday as he walked home after playing football.
Police are assuring potential witnesses their identities will be protected if they come forward with information.
Detectives have so far released 10 suspects, four without charge and six on police bail.Detectives have so far released 10 suspects, four without charge and six on police bail.
Officers said they had received a steady stream of calls from the public following Rhys's murder and are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.Officers said they had received a steady stream of calls from the public following Rhys's murder and are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.
Floral tributes There is a wall of silence because there is a genuine fear within the area about safety and fear of reprisals Richard Whitehead, lawyer
Police began searching the woodland on Tuesday, though the source of the information which led them to the area is not known. Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police, said: "The important thing for me now is to see information and telephone calls changed into evidence.
Ch Insp Ray Beirne, who is leading the search teams, also refused to say what the officers were looking for. "And for that I need people to be brave and come forward and become witnesses.
"The important thing that we've always said is that we can put special measures in if you're frightened about your identity becoming revealed, there are things that we can do that will assist and protect your identity."
Richard Whitehead, a criminal lawyer based in Liverpool, said many people in the area would still be too scared to come forward.
"There is a wall of silence because there is a genuine fear within the area about safety and fear of reprisals," he told BBC News 24.
Rhys's brother visits shrine Police reveal gang crackdown
About 46 officers and eight dogs began searching the woodland on Tuesday although Ch Insp Ray Beirne, who is leading the teams, refused to say what the officers were looking for.
He said: "It is a very large area of wood and we are having to look through every bit of it.He said: "It is a very large area of wood and we are having to look through every bit of it.
"We have 46 police officers specially trained in this type of search and eight police dogs.
"It will take as long as it takes.""It will take as long as it takes."
I just want to ask them to be brave Melanie Jones, Rhys's mother Rhys's brother visits shrine Police reveal gang crackdown
Officers are investigating the possibility that Rhys may have been caught up in a feud between the Croxteth Crew and the Strand Gang.Officers are investigating the possibility that Rhys may have been caught up in a feud between the Croxteth Crew and the Strand Gang.
It has not been revealed whether any of the calls shed light on the activities of the two rival gangs. It has not been revealed whether any of the calls from the public shed light on the activities of the two rival gangs.
Rhys's murder shocked the nation with masses of floral tributes laid at the spot where he fell. Floral tributes
Wreaths from Everton and Blackburn Rovers football clubs and from Wayne Rooney, who was born in Croxteth, have also been laid at the spot. Masses of floral tributes have been laid at the spot where Rhys fell.
On Monday Rhys's parents, Melanie and Stephen Jones, urged their son's killer to surrender to police. Wreaths from Everton and Blackburn Rovers football clubs and from England striker Wayne Rooney, who was brought up in Croxteth, have also been laid at the spot.
Mrs Jones said: "We never knew anything about guns. We've lived there 17 years and we've never had any trouble, never been frightened about going out. On Monday Rhys's parents, Melanie and Stephen Jones, urged their son's killer to surrender to police, and revealed they wanted to move from the area.
Rhys's parents said they could no longer live in the areaRhys's parents said they could no longer live in the area
"I don't feel safe now up there. I am going to leave. I can't live on there any more. I can't go up to those shops any more. Mrs Jones said: "I don't feel safe now up there. I am going to leave. I can't live on there any more. I can't go up to those shops any more.
"I've got to move somewhere else.""I've got to move somewhere else."
Rhys and his family will be remembered in prayers at a church service to mark the 800th anniversary of the city gaining its charter from King John.Rhys and his family will be remembered in prayers at a church service to mark the 800th anniversary of the city gaining its charter from King John.
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, is expected to mention Rhys during the service at Liverpool Parish Church.The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, is expected to mention Rhys during the service at Liverpool Parish Church.
The anthem of the 11-year-old's beloved Everton - the Z Cars theme tune Johnny Todd - will be heard for the first time at Anfield.The anthem of the 11-year-old's beloved Everton - the Z Cars theme tune Johnny Todd - will be heard for the first time at Anfield.
It will be played as players leave the tunnel before the Champions League qualifying game against Toulouse at 2000 BST.It will be played as players leave the tunnel before the Champions League qualifying game against Toulouse at 2000 BST.