Liverpool Anti-Gang Initiative Strengthens Public Confidence in Police

Published: 18 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

A Liverpool-based scheme targeting gang activity has significantly boosted public confidence in the police, authorities report, three years after a series of fatal shootings shook the city. The initiative, rooted in a “Clear, Hold, Build” approach, has led to a remarkable 300% increase in community intelligence, alongside more than 5,300 arrests and the seizure of approximately 630 kilograms of Class A and B drugs.

Merseyside Police described the initiative, locally known as Evolve, as one of the first forces in the UK to receive Home Office funding to tackle organised crime in a structured manner. The programme was launched in response to a week of tragic gun-related deaths in August 2022, which claimed the lives of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 28-year-old Ashley Dale, and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer.

The scheme also facilitated the confiscation of 260 offensive weapons, 28 firearms, and around £2.5 million in cash and assets, which authorities plan to reinvest into community development projects. Detective Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson highlighted the strong engagement from local residents, noting that community intelligence reporting across the four Evolve areas has risen sharply.

“We get a really good response from communities who want to work with us,” Robson said. “They don’t want these kinds of tragedies to occur in their communities. The increase in intelligence reporting shows that people have faith in us to act on the information they provide.”

The initiative has been further supported by local institutions, with both Everton and Liverpool football clubs organising weekly community events to strengthen cohesion and deter criminal activity. Evolve was officially launched after the death of Elle Edwards, 26, in a shooting outside a Wallasey pub on Christmas Eve 2022, reinforcing its focus on protecting vulnerable communities and curbing the influence of organised gangs.

Authorities say the programme’s combination of enforcement, surveillance, and community engagement demonstrates a sustainable model for reducing gang-related violence while restoring trust between residents and law enforcement.