The families of four people killed in gun violence in Merseyside in 2022 have backed a new education resource for schools, hoping it will make young people "think twice before picking a weapon up".
Cheryl Korbel, whose daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel was nine when she was murdered, joined the families of Ashley Dale, Sam Rimmer and Elle Edwards in supporting the Dear Merseyside initiative, which launches in September. The resource aims to encourage young people to think differently about violence, exploitation and the choices they make.
A dark week in Merseyside's history
One devastating week in August 2022 saw Olivia killed inside her home in Dovecot, 28-year-old Ashley Dale killed in Old Swan, and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer fatally injured when a gunman opened fire in a cul-de-sac in Dingle. By the end of that year, Jackie Rutter had been gunned down on her doorstep in Moreton, and 26-year-old Elle Edwards was killed outside a Wallasey pub on Christmas Eve.
In the wake of the murders, Merseyside Police received Home Office funding for the Clear, Hold, Build initiative, known locally as EVOLVE. The project, now across four sites, sees police work with local authorities, schools and community partners to tackle organised crime.
Families share their hopes and memories
Ms Korbel said: "Hopefully, it makes a big difference and people think twice before even picking a weapon up." Julie Dale said: "Ashley made a really bad choice in her relationship which ultimately [cost] her life. But it is also about what friends you keep as well and just being aware [of how] the choices you make could change your life, your whole future."
Speaking at Olivia's Tree, the memorial near where the schoolgirl lived, Ms Korbel noted that Olivia would have turned 13 on June 13, 2026. She said: "Olivia should have turned 13 on June 13, 2026. She would be in high school with her friends, sharing the excitement of becoming a teenager. Instead, we are left holding the milestones she never got to reach."
EVOLVE's impact and the Dear Merseyside poem
Since the launch of the flagship Liverpool-Knowsley EVOLVE initiative, police have made more than 2,680 arrests, seized hundreds of kilos of class A and B drugs, taken nearly 200 offensive weapons off the street, safeguarded scores of vulnerable people, and put more than £1.6m of criminal cash and assets into local community schemes.
At the heart of the programme is the poem Dear Merseyside, written by Liverpool's Joseph Roberts, which reflects on community, loss and hope. The poem is used as a starting point for discussion in schools, following initial workshops that have reached more than 7,000 students.
In a collective statement, the families said: "We want something positive to come from our loss. Our loved ones should still be here. They had dreams, ambitions and futures ahead of them that were cruelly taken away. We have chosen to support this resource because we want young people to hear the human stories behind the headlines." They added: "We hope they see that every act of violence leaves families, friends and communities living with its consequences forever. If this helps even one young person to think differently, make a better choice or stay safe, it matters."
Remembering Sam, whose anniversary was on Sunday, Ms Rimmer said: "Sam was more than a son, he was a friend, and a cherished soul. He touched the lives of so many people. His smile, laughter, kindness and his loyalty will never be forgotten." She added: "Lives can be changed in an instant, and the pain left behind can last a lifetime. Never underestimate the impact your choices and the company you keep can have on your future and on the people who love you."
Elle's parents, Gaynor Ward and Mr Edwards, said: "As a family, we are incredibly proud that Elle's legacy continues to inspire and bring hope to future generations. It is our wish that young people today remember Elle not only for the joy she brought into the world, but for the example she set through her hard work, positivity, and compassion for others."
Ms Dale said: "Ashley is missed more than words can say and loved more than time can ever erase. Her memory lives on in every heart she ever touched, and her name will always be spoken with love. To every young person reading this: violence does not end when the noise fades. Its impact lives on in mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and communities who must learn to live with an empty space that should never exist. Ashley deserves to be remembered not for the way she died, but for the life she lived and the love she gave."
Remembering Olivia, Ms Korbel said: "I think about her every minute of every day. I constantly wonder how her face would have changed, whether her hair would feel the same, how tall she would be now. I imagine the clothes she might choose, the music she would dance around the house to, the conversations we would share. She was so intelligent, so thoughtful - our chats were my favourite."
Police and PCC praise families' courage
Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Grounds, head of EVOLVE for Merseyside Police, said: "It is a poignant moment to remember the victims whose lives were taken far too early in horrific circumstances. The families that have courage and determination to want to be part of EVOLVE is testament really to their wants to make sure that the legacy of their children continues for years and generations to come. Without the support of the families, I think that the message wouldn't be as loud."
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside's police and crime commissioner, said: "Most importantly, this resource would not have been possible without the courage and generosity of the families of Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale, Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Elle Edwards. Despite experiencing unimaginable loss, they have chosen to turn their grief into a force for positive change. Their contribution ensures these lessons are rooted in real experiences, helping to inspire and protect future generations while creating a lasting legacy for their loved ones."
