Youth held over Rhys killing as divers join search

Published on 29/08/2007 13:37

A 15-YEAR-OLD youth was arrested today by detectives investigating the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones.

Rhys was gunned down a week ago today by a youth on a BMX bike in the car park of a pub in Croxteth, Liverpool, where the Everton fan had been playing football with his friends.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police described the arrest as "new". Ten other youths have already been detained on suspicion of murder over the past week, with six bailed and four released without charge.

Earlier today, divers joined a search for evidence being carried out in a wooded area close to the scene of the shooting.

Teams of officers are combing an area known as Dam Wood, where there are three large ponds.

Merseyside Police have not yet said what evidence they hope to find there, but they described the search as "extensive".

The spokesman said: "Divers are used in a number of circumstances, such as waterways, sewers and dense areas."

Tonight, police were to mark a week since Rhys's murder by stopping motorists and members of the public outside the Fir Tree pub where he was shot.

Leaflets have been supplied by Tesco, where Rhys's parents Melanie, 41, and Stephen, 44, are employed.