EVOLVE: Crime and ASB rates fall as PCC and partners mark three years since launch
18.08.25 - Merseyside
In 2022, the lives of four families in Liverpool were shattered by gun crime, prompting a new targeted response to tackle serious and organised crime.
On August 16, 22-year-old Sam Rimmer was shot in Dingle and passed away a short time after.
Five days later, 28-year-old Ashley Dale was killed in Old Swan and the following day nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot in Dovecot.
Ashley and Olivia were in their own homes – places that should have been safest.
Later that year, on Christmas Eve, 26-year old Elle Edwards was murdered outside the Lighthouse Pub in Wallasey when a gunman opened fire.
The tragic murders of these innocent people led to Merseyside Police being given funding by the Home Office to begin a Clear, Hold, Build operation, known locally as EVOLVE, designed to reclaim areas worst affected by serious and organised crime and rebuild safer, stronger communities.
It offers a holistic approach combining enforcement with long-term prevention.
Delivered in partnership with other agencies it aims to tackle criminality and its underlying causes.
Merseyside was one of the first forces in the UK to implement this model, ahead of its national rollout in January 2023.
Merseyside now has four Clear, Hold, Build projects that see police and partners working together to build better futures for all:
- EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley (launched August 2022)
- EVOLVE Wirral (launched December 2022, following the murder of Elle Edwards)
- EVOLVE Netherton (launched January 2023)
- EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall (launched January 2025)
Each phase has a distinct purpose. Clear focuses on disrupting and removing criminals from communities, Hold aims to stabilize the area and prevent the return of criminal activity, and Build works to strengthen communities and reduce vulnerability to crime.
Since the launch of the first Clear and Hold phases following Sam, Ashley and Olivia’s murders in August 2022, the impact has been substantial.
Across the four EVOLVE areas there have been:
- More than 5,300 arrests
- Around 630kg of Class A and B drugs seized with an estimated street value of several million pounds
- Around £2.5 million seized in cash and assets – this is being reinvested into communities via participatory budget events and other schemes
- More than 260 offensive weapons and 28 firearms seized
- Hundreds of warrants executed
- More than 6,500 stop-searches carried out
- More than 440 vulnerable people safeguarded
- Some offenders have been sentenced to a total of more than 700 years in prison
- Community intelligence has increased by more than 300% across the four sites equating to thousands of reports
- All crime has fallen across each of the areas (stats for EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall will be available after 12 months). In EVOLVE Netherton it has fallen by 32%, EVOLVE Wirral it has fallen by 10% and EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley it has fallen by 11%
- ASB has fallen across each of the areas. In EVOLVE Netherton it has fallen by 74%, EVOLVE Wirral it has fallen by 34% and EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley it has fallen by 5%
- Knife crime (section 18 stabbings) has also fallen across each of the areas. In EVOLVE Netherton it has fallen by 14% EVOLVE Wirral it has fallen by 66% and EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley it has fallen by 12.5%
Detective Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, who leads EVOLVE, said: “This is not just about numbers – this is about lives. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to crime.
“While serious and organised crime in Merseyside is falling, one weapon fired is one too many.
“We are working tirelessly with our partners to create safer communities. The results are impressive, but we are not stopping here.
“Young people are key to creating lasting change. We are working closely with schools and youth organisations to educate young people and try to prevent them from going down the wrong path or falling victim to criminal gangs looking to exploit them for their financial gain.
“The wider community also plays a vital role. Law-abiding residents don’t want to live in the shadows of gangs and we have seen an increase in reports to Crimestoppers and our Force since 2022.
“This information, combined with the work of dedicated teams, is helping drive real change.
“Every piece of information helps us to protect more lives, so we urge the public to keep coming forward so we can continue to make a difference - together.
“We have brought Ashley, Olivia and Elle’s killers to justice, but we are still seeking justice for Sam and his family. I encourage anyone with information to do the right thing and tell us what you know.”
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell added: “Three years ago, our communities were shaken by a series of devastating tragedies that left families heartbroken and neighbourhoods reeling.
“In response, we launched EVOLVE, with a clear mission to reclaim our streets from the grip of serious and organised crime and to restore hope, safety and pride to the people of Merseyside.
“This has been a true partnership effort. From Merseyside Police and local councils to housing providers, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, EFC, LFC, health services, schools, and community groups, every organisation has played a vital role.
“The results speak for themselves; crime is down, public confidence is up, and residents are once again at the heart of shaping their neighbourhoods.
“We know that enforcement alone is not enough. That’s why EVOLVE has focused just as much on the ‘Build’ phase – investing in young people, supporting families, and creating opportunities that steer people away from crime.
“By listening to residents and working with them, we’re creating lasting change that will protect future generations.
“I want to thank every partner, every officer, and every resident who has stood with us over the past three years.
“Your courage, commitment and collaboration have made Merseyside safer and stronger. We will continue to stand together, because no one should have to live in fear, and every community deserves to thrive.”
Jo Rimmer, Sam’s mum, said: “It is three painful and traumatic years since Sam was murdered.
“The passing of time has not eased the pain. People say to cherish the memories, but when I think of Sam, the memory I have is of his body in the morgue, staring at his chest willing him to breathe.
“No parent should ever have to identify their child’s body. Unless you have experienced the murder of your child, you cannot begin to understand the agonising, torturous mental and emotional horror we endure daily.
“The ache of my heart just to see my son again. My appeal is to the people who know who killed Sam. If you know something and you are reading this, please, please speak up.
“No one will ever know as it will be completely anonymous. Sam was shot in his back. He was turned away from his killers. This image haunts me. In his final moments, was he scared? Was he in pain?
“I died the day Sam did. I function but I do not live. I know the pain of losing Sam will never go but if I see justice for his murder, maybe the family and I can begin to move forward and remember the happy memories of Sam.”
Julie Dale, Ashley’s mum, said: “Julie Dale, Ashley’s mum, said: “On August 21, 2022, at 3:45am our world was changed forever. We were told the horrific news that my 28-year-old daughter Ashley had been brutally murdered in her own home.
“She had been shot in her kitchen - her home, the one place where she should have been safe.
“The past three years have been a living nightmare trying to come to terms with what has happened to Ashley and navigating a life and future without her in it.
“After Ashley’s murder we were told that crime reporting had risen significantly. This heinous crime had shaken the community and people had had enough.
“We count ourselves one of the ‘lucky’ ones as we have been able to get justice for Ashley.
“Without the support of the community, who knows what position we would be in now?
“Sadly, there are families who are still waiting for their justice knowing that their loved one’s killers are still out there walking our streets.
“No parent should have to go through this. Losing a child in such an horrific way and knowing that someone knows who has committed these crimes is just unbearable.
“So, I appeal to anyone who may have information that could help give the families the justice they deserve and help ease the lifelong pain they are facing to come forward to police or Crimestoppers.”
Cheryl Korbel, Olivia’s mum, said: “My little girl was only nine years old when she was shot in her own home. She had her whole life ahead of her and the pain of her loss is indescribable.
“It has been three years since I last heard her laugh, put her to bed or held her hand but the pain of her loss still feels like it happened yesterday.
“I will never see her grow up, get married, have children of her own or fulfil her dreams and that is devastating.
“EVOLVE was created to help prevent further tragedies and other families from having to endure the pain we feel every single day.
“While it’s making a difference we need your help. To keep our communities safest, if you know anything about criminality, please speak out.”
Tim Edwards, Elle’s dad, added: ““Losing Elle shattered our world and left a hole in our lives that can never be filled. No family should ever have to go through what we have.
“EVOLVE gives me hope because it’s about stopping that pain from touching other people – taking dangerous people off the streets and working together to protect our communities.
“Elle should still be here, living her life and making plans for her future. We can’t change what happened to her but we can help stop it from happening to someone else.
“If you know something, please come forward. Your courage could save a life and spare another family the pain we live with every day.”