Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper paid a moving tribute to Olivia Pratt-Korbell as she vowed that a new Labour government would take the fight to organised crime.
Ms Cooper spoke at the party conference in Liverpool, a city she said is 'grieving', following the shocking murder of nine-year-old Olivia in Dovecot five weeks ago. Merseyside Police have made a number of arrests related to her killing, but no one has been charged.
Opening her speech, Ms Cooper said: "It is great to be back. Back here in the brilliant city of Liverpool here on this beautiful waterfront.
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"But we are in a city that has been grieving. Just five weeks ago, just five miles down the road, a nine-year-old girl was killed.
"Olivia Pratt-Korbel was at home, getting ready for bed, when her future was stolen in the most unthinkable way. Devastating for her family, for a community. And in the words of the Liverpool ECHO, for schoolchildren weeping in a classroom with an empty chair."
On Saturday, Ms Cooper and Labour leader Keir Starmer met with community groups and police officers. She added: "We thank them and show our solidarity with them in the fight to get justice for Olivia now."
She promised that a new Labour government would take the fight to the organised crime groups spreading misery in communities around the country.
She said: "Across our towns and cities - gun crime up, knife crime up. Driven by county lines and a wave of organised crime that thrives by drawing vulnerable teenagers in. Last year the number of children exploited by gangs hit a record high.
"The next Labour government will bring in a new law to crackdown on criminals who lure young people into violence - we will outlaw the exploitation of children for crime.
"Labour is also setting out a new plan – with mental health professionals, safer schools officers and mentors to support young people at risk."
Evoking memories of the New Labour government of Tony Blair, she added: "Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime. That’s who we are. We’ll do what it takes to protect our children from violent crime."
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