Merseyside detectives

[comedycentral]

Has anyone watched the new documentary on ch4 called Merseyside Detectives? It follows an investigation into the fatal shooting of a little girl and a young woman a couple of years ago in Liverpool. I watched all 4 episodes yesterday, absolutely heartbreaking TV. The officers and detectives did an amazing job but lots of hard work under difficult circumstances.

I was thinking o starting a thread on this. I really don't think they needed to show the part where Olivia was carried from
The house and in the police car on the way to hospital. Other than that is very interesting. Olivia's mum is just so dignified . My friend preached at her funeral. The second funeral of a murdered child he had to do in the space of 18 months.

These f**king scummy, awful, small, nasty men. Bloody drugs and mediocrity. .
Those stunning girls. It's utterly heartbreaking.

So much dignity from the families. I was so impressed with the Police and their quiet determination.

Such a hard show to watch - I was overjoyed they all got such long sentences. .
I was really struck by the bravery of the witness who named Olivias killer. But also Ashleys utterly scummy boyfriend - what a piece of crap.

Just watching episode 4 now. Some of it is a hard watch, but it really does confirm that most people are just decent human beings trying to get on with their lives.

The dignity of the families is something to aspire to.

Just finished watching this. Gripping and of course so enormously sad.
I do understand unrelated witnesses being fearful but the boyfriend was scum not helping the police. Also sad that an intelligent young woman settled for a bloke like that.

That bit was awful, hearing the officer talking to her, it was heartbreaking.

It was so disappointing in the early stages to see them being released on bail and back in the communities because the CPS didn't feel they were ready. I know it pays off in the long run but they were incredibly serious crimes and it left the communities extremely vulnerable.

Yes lots of powerful and brave women in the programme, either as family members or witnesses. Disappointed in so many of the men involved!

I dont think Ashley's murder in any way compares to Olivia's.

Ashley a grown adult who knowingly had a partner involved in drugs and gangs, no she didn't deserve to be murdered but she did chose a life closely linked to that lifestyle.

Olivia's is an utter travesty a pure innocent child killed by the lowest of society.

The police and justice service did an excellent job and the sentences for all involved were fantastic.

@WeakAsIAm completely agree. I'm surprised they are showing in now. As it's the two years anniversary this week. And especially in light of recent events up there.

I didn't feel they were compared as such, they just happened within days of each other, had the same investigation teams, devastated the community and had very similar themes in terms of guns, drugs, male violence etc.

"I didn't feel they were compared as such, they just happened within days of each other, had the same investigation teams, devastated the community and had very similar themes in terms of guns, drugs, male violence etc."

I take your point

I started to watch this, but had to turn it off when Olivia was with the police officer in the car on the way to hospital. It was just too upsetting to watch. I might go back to it, but not tonight. Can’t believe it’s been two years already.

I feel like you did the right thing, I physically felt sick and hot, it was awful. My heart goes out to the family.

I cried buckets at that scene. I wish they'd not shown it.

😢

just watching it all now - the dignity of Olivia's family is astonishing. Seeing those black clad groups of women, grieving, because of the mindless violence of men. Heartbreaking.

The footage of the police's desperate attempt to save Olivia should be played at random intervals in Thomas Cashman's cell for the rest of his sentence.

If only! Hopefully he's not having a great time in there after murdering a little girl.

I could not have put it better myself, I hope the police are using this documentary to show the men and women in Merseyside, that you are not safe with these people. It is time to stop protecting them and profiting off the crime.

I thought on balance they were right to show that scene and clearly Olivia's mother wanted it shown. I think it captured so well the horror and the waste and what those awful men did.
I also thought it showed so clearly the bravery of the officers who ran in and scooped her up and took her. Not even knowing her name or what had happened but trying to get her to medical treatment and offer her some comfort.
I thought this was important tv overall.

My only other thoughts were that while these officers were amazing and determined, it is the policing culture which has allowed the crime gangs to thrive and take over. I thought there was implied criticism of the local community, who lived in terror of these people, because they were reluctant to come forward. The fact is the police over decades have not protected them, have not clamped down enough on drugs and gangs, and allowed the community to be put in this place of fear

"I thought there was implied criticism of the local community, who lived in terror of these people, because they were reluctant to come forward."

I thought it should have been more direct criticism, of the community that protects the scum for the money and association.

How many more kids, before this so-called community shallows its pride and starts addressing the link between their lifestyle choices and the criminal activity that they fund? Lots of people have blood on their hands here.

Everyone just points at someone/something else. The criminals, the government, the education system, the council the past and the police. The solution is far simpler and closer to home.

There was a lot to be horrified about in those episodes but something I found really chilling was that the 'revenge' attack was over the theft of an e-bike. I assume there was significantly more to it than the police were able to disclose on camera, but those text exchanges about sourcing weapons to murder someone over an e-bike were horrific. When did that become the logical next step in someone's head?

I agree that there was implied criticism of the community for keeping quiet. Olivias mum is a remarkable woman.

Ashley’s boyfriend was scum. No wonder her mother Julie was so damning of him.

saw this in December https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1lnz5g0glro.amp

done for drugs.