Police and community leaders reassure residents in Wallasey village following fatal shooting

Police and community leaders came together today, Monday 26th December, to speak with and support residents of Wallasey Village following the fatal shooting on Christmas Eve.

A murder investigation is underway following the death of 26-year-old Elle Edwards and the wounding of four others at the Lighthouse Inn.

Today, officers from Merseyside Police were joined by local councillors and representatives from Wirral Council and the office of Dame Angela Eagle MP to show their support to residents during this tragic time.

They called on people’s houses in the roads surrounding Wallasey Village to provide reassurance and give resident’s an opportunity to raise any concerns they may have.

Wirral’s Community Policing lead, Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, said: “Police officers, council representatives and local councillors talked with residents following this truly shocking shooting on Christmas Eve.

“The common sentiment from residents was sympathy for the family of Elle, who have tragically lost their loved one.

“Residents understood the need for us to carry out our work and that road closures are in place while investigations continue.

“People also appreciated the support from ourselves, the council, councillors and Dame Angela Eagle MP during this tragic time. We shall maintain an increased police presence to reassure people in the wake of this event.”

Supt Moscrop continued: “We urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact us, supporting the investigation and helping to find justice for Elle, her family and others injured or otherwise affected.

“This is not the time for anyone who knows who is responsible for this shooting to stay quiet. Do the right thing and contact us with information.”

Uniformed police are patrolling Wallasey Village and a mobile police station has been set up for residents to come and talk to officers with any information or issues they want to discuss.

Leader of Wirral Borough Council, Cllr Jeanette Williams said: “We have come together to reassure residents in Wallasey Village following this horrendous and abhorrent incident.

“This is a one-off occurrence which is out of character for the area, and police and council are here to provide reassurance and support to residents in the village.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Elle at this tragic time as they deal with the loss of their loved one.

“If you have any information then do the right thing and speak up, otherwise you are complicit to the murder of the young woman, and no one can sit in silence.”

Cllr Lesley Rennie for Wallasey Village said: “Speaking to residents they are mortified by what has happened, and as you can see this is a quiet village and people are devastated and in shock.

“This seems to be a completely random act of violence where people were out enjoying Christmas Eve with family and friends.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the young woman who have lost her and for those that are in hospital with injuries.

“Everyone is appreciative of what Merseyside Police is doing to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Dame Angela Eagle MP for Wallasey added: “I think it is important that police and community partners come together in the aftermath of this extremely shocking and awful tragedy where a young woman has lost her life.

“It is absolutely heart-breaking for Elle’s family and what they are currently going through.

“I urge anyone with information that will help the investigation, no matter how small to please come contact police so the perpetrator of this appalling crime is brought to justice.”

Cllr Paul Stuart for Seacombe councillors continued: “It is shocking and I’m sure residents are horrified that something like this happened in such a quiet place.

“The Lighthouse pub is a family establishment, and we are here today to give residents’ the reassurance that this is out of character for the area.

“I ask anybody with any information, however trivial, along with any CCTV, Ring doorbell footage, to hand it over to police and let them decide if it is relevant to the investigation or not.

“These people who are responsible for the murder of Elle Edwards and injuries of four people need to be caught and held to account. My heart goes out to the family of the young woman.”

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000948723.