EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall is seeing early success after the scheme established in the wake of 2022’s gun murders was rolled out one year ago
EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall is seeing early success after the scheme established in the wake of 2022’s gun murders was rolled out one year ago
A crimefighting scheme which saw success in the wake of Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murder has resulted in significant decreases in violence and the seizure of drugs and weapons. EVOLVE Everton and Vauxhall is the fourth clear, hold, build scheme rolled out in Merseyside following previous successes, including in the Dovecot and Huyton areas following the murder of nine-year-old Olivia and around the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates in the wake of the Wirral killing of Elle Edwards.
The EVOLVE scheme in the north Liverpool communities was launched in January 2025 after it was identified by the police as an area that had been plagued by organised crime groups and drug-related activity. Merseyside Police said since the launch of the initiative, they had made 117 arrests, seized over 100kg of drugs and removed 31 weapons from the streets.
They had also carried out 630 stop and searches, made 42 safeguarding referrals and received 528 intelligence submissions – a 28% increase on the previous year.
The force said arrests have increased by 7% in the past 12 months, while “violence with injury” is down by 11%, violence without injury is falling by 6%, residential and commercial burglaries are on the decline, and anti-social behaviour is down by 6%. Arrests have also increased by 7%, and recorded offences of drug dealing have risen by 72% because of the work specifically targeting offenders, the force said.
Superintendent Tony Fairhurst, one of the senior officers involved in EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall, said: “We recognise that drug-related activity plays a large role in fuelling serious and organised crime, which impacts on community safety and the welfare of residents.
“Since the launch of the operation last January, our officers have proactively targeted those suspected of being involved in drug-related activity, which is reflected in the large increase in identified drug dealing – and this in turn has driven the slight rise in all crimes being recorded.
“It is also reflected in the increase in safeguarding referrals for vulnerable people who have either needed help with their addictions or needed interventions to prevent them from being exploited by criminals.
“In the last 12 months we have made significant progress, with our officers working hard to clear the area of criminality and prevent others from filling the void created, while also helping to protect those who are vulnerable.
“We are delighted with the substantial increase in intelligence from the community, which is indicative of the growing confidence we are seeing and is vital for us to be able to continue to make the greatest possible difference.”
The clear, hold, build model, known locally as EVOLVE, has been rolled out across Merseyside, in areas including Netherton, Dovecot and Huyton, and around the Woodchurch Estate in Wirral. The aim of the strategy is to disrupt and clear gang activity from an area, hold onto the location so another gang can’t take control in the vacuum, and then work with the residents and partners to build a more prosperous area.
The scheme has been supported by the likes of Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel; Ms Edwards’ dad, Tim; Joanne Rimmer, the mum of Sam, who was shot in Dingle in August 2022; and Julie Dale, the mum of Ashley, who was murdered just days after Sam.
Following the launch of the build phase in Everton, a number of initiatives have been introduced to help children in the community become more resilient to crime. The phase was launched by spoken word poet Joseph Roberts’ “Dear Merseyside”, which carries the message “enough is enough” and calls on young people to work with the police to break the cycle of violence.
Superintendent Fairhurst added: “By listening to our young people and working with them, we can further enhance the success of EVOLVE, improving their opportunities, reducing crime and building a safer, stronger Merseyside for generations to come.” Community groups have also received up to £5,000 to help support the areas.
Other community initiatives include the Anfield and Everton Disarm group; detached youth work from Liverpool City Council’s public health team; “days of action” speaking to residents; and the West Everton EVOLVE problem-solving group led by local councillor Jane Corbett.
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, cabinet member for communities, neighbourhoods and street scene at Liverpool City Council, said: “All of the partners involved in EVOLVE are determined to tackle the root causes of serious violence so that residents can go about their lives without fear of crime. Joint working makes a real difference, through days of action, community projects, arrests and the preventative work to dissuade young people from getting involved in criminality.”
Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell added: “Over the last 12 months, EVOLVE Everton‑Vauxhall has shown what can be achieved when communities, partners and policing come together with real determination.
“The progress made so far, from the increase in intelligence and safeguarding to reductions in violence, burglary and antisocial behaviour, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved and the trust and co-operation of local residents.”
