Criminals and the Liverpool community are being urged to “examine their consciences” and give up the gunman who killed a nine-year-old girl.
Merseyside Police confirmed that the girl – who has officially been named as Olivia Pratt-Korbel – died on Monday night when a 35-year-old man, who was unknown to the family, ran into her home on Kingsheath Avenue, in the Notty Ash area, as he tried to get away from a gunman.
Her mother Cheryl Korbel, 46, was also shot in the wrist as she tried to close the door on the gunman while Olivia stood behind her.
Olivia suffered a gunshot injury to the chest and was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, where she later sadly died.
In a news conference delivered yesterday, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen explained that Olivia had been at home with her two older siblings and mother when Ms Korbel opened the door after hearing gunshots fired outside.
DCS Kameen said a figure – who was wearing a black padded jacket, a black balaclava with a peak, dark trousers and black gloves – fired shots at two men walking along Kingsheath Avenue, which prompted them them to run away, and one of the men ran towards the open door of Olivia’s home and forced his way in.
The gunman also suffered gunshot wounds to his upper body, before he was picked up and taken to hospital by friends driving a car has since been seized by police.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has called Olivia’s death an “absolute tragedy” in a plea urging the criminals to come forward.
She said: “I know that the murder of Olivia has rocked our communities, who are quite rightly upset and outraged that such an abhorrent crime has occurred here on the streets of Merseyside… [but] the people of Liverpool and Merseyside are known for their compassion and pulling together in times of crisis, and I know that in our communities, people are wanting to help the family in any way possible.”
“This is not the time for anyone who knows who’s responsible for this shooting to remain tight-lipped,” she added.
“It is time for our communities to come together with us and make Merseyside a place where the use of guns on our streets is totally unacceptable, and those who use them are held to account.”
Kingsheath Avenue in Liverpool, where a Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot / Credit: Google Maps
Merseyside Police is appealing to “members of the criminal fraternity” and is asking them to “examine their consciences” to give up the gunman and come forward with any “vital information that can help” in their ongoing investigation.
“The killing of a nine-year-old child is an absolute tragedy and crosses every single boundary, and I would urge them to do the right thing, so we can put this person behind bars,” Chief Constable Kennedy concluded.
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 1083 of 22 August.
Featured Image – Supplied
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‘Eyesore’ Northern Quarter car park to be redeveloped as ambitious new neighbourhood
Emily Sergeant
An underused multi-storey car park in the heart of the city centre is set to be sold and redeveloped as an ‘ambitious’ new neighbourhood.
The ‘eyesore’ car park situated in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into what Manchester City Council is hoping will become a green and sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the ‘unique and independent’ ethos of the area.
It comes after developers CBRE were appointed by the Council last year to market the Church Street site for disposal, ahead of seeking formal planning permission.
The new scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes – including 60 affordable homes – alongside new commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces.
A before and proposed after of Church Street Car Park / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s expected that the development will respect the heritage and architecture of the historic city centre neighbourhood and help to enhance the wider area, all while improving a car park site that has long fallen out of favour.
The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm.
As mentioned, commercial space is also part of the plans, as the ground floor of the building will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood, alongside units for food and beverage outlets.
“For too long, the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces.”
The final legal negotiations will conclude over the summer, and it’s expected that a public consultation will then take place to inform a future planning application.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
‘Major milestone’ as planning permission secured to transform Oldham town centre
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for six transformational sites in Oldham town centre, with developers calling it a ‘major milestone’.
This approval marks a key step forward in Muse Places and Oldham Council‘s long-term partnership with a shared ambition to deliver a ‘vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable’ town centre that not only reflects Oldham’s heritage but also meets the needs of the people who live there.
Following ‘extensive consultation’ with the local community earlier this year, where hundreds of people took park and shared valuable feedback to help shape the proposals, a total of 1,619 new homes will be delivered as part of the plans, offering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient apartments designed for families, older people, and young professionals.
The plans also include social and affordable housing provision too in a bid to help more local people find a home that suits their needs and circumstances.
According to the Council and developers, the approved plans will bring underused sites back into ‘productive’ use and support a ‘cleaner, greener’ future for Oldham, opening the door to new opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.
“This decision marks a key milestone in delivering on our promises for Oldham,” commented Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Council.
Planning permission has been secured to transform Oldham town centre / Credit: Muse Places
“Oldham Council and Muse have a shared, ambitious vision to create a quality place that people genuinely want to spend time in.
“I am thrilled that we can continue moving forward with our plans, delivering high-quality homes, including the provision of social and affordable homes to meet local needs. We will also support local businesses and create opportunities for everyone, as part of a clean, green and sustainable future.
“Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of.”
Site investigation works are now complete at the Civic Centre, and works at Prince’s Gate will begin shortly, followed by the former Magistrates’ Court later this year.
With planning consent secured and preparatory works underway, construction at Prince’s Gate is expected to begin this autumn.
Emily Sergeant -
24th August 2022 
