Merseyside PCC statement after Connor Chapman found guilty of Christmas Eve murder of Elle Edwards

FOLLOWING the news that Connor Chapman was on:- Thursday, 7 July 2023, found guilty of the murder of Elle Edwards on Christmas Eve, Merseyside's Police Commissioner has released the following statement. Emily Spurrell, said:- "No family should have to face the unimaginable pain and heartache that Elle Edward's loved ones have endured in the past 7 months. Elle was a beautiful, vivacious, happy 26 year old who was out enjoying the Christmas festivities when her life was brutally cut short in the most devastating and senseless way. As her father has said, her life was cut short just as she was reaching her peak. There is no justice that can bring Elle back and the last 4 weeks of the trial and Chapman's refusal to admit his crimes, forcing her family to relive the events of that tragic night, must only have compounded their unthinkable suffering. Their victim impact statements are utterly heart-wrenching. Today's guilty verdict will not end their own life sentence, but I hope it will bring them some small comfort that he is off the streets and facing many years behind bars for his cowardly and appalling actions. I would like to give my sincere thanks to the many dedicated Officers, PCSOs and staff of Merseyside Police who worked around the clock in the wake of this awful incident; many forsaking their own Christmases; to support the victims and their families, reassure people living nearby and to bring Chapman to justice. I'd also like to thank the many brave witnesses who came forward with evidence to ensure this toxic individual was brought to justice and the wider community of Wallasey who pulled together with empathy and compassion. Chapman is part of a dark underbelly of our society who are prepared to use guns with no care for the harm they inflict on others. To fire a powerful submachine pistol at a crowded pub full of innocent people celebrating the holidays is utterly despicable. Yet he has not shown a shred of remorse. Dangerous, ruthless individuals like Chapman will never be welcome in Merseyside. The Police are relentless in their approach to tackling heartless criminals like him and the cold-blooded gangs who harbour them and I am determined to do everything I can to support this work. While we have the seen the number of firearms discharges drop significantly in the past decade, we cannot stop until that number is zero. To achieve that we need the support of our communities. If you have any information about gun crime; where weapons are being housed or who is using them; my heartfelt plea is please, do the right thing and speak out. By doing so, you could play a vital role in protecting the lives of innocent people and preventing further tragedies. Through the roll out of Operation EVOLVE, we are also working closely with all our partners to disrupt and deter these gangs, rooting them out of our communities. Reclaiming and rebuilding our most blighted neighbourhoods, so they are once again places people love to live, work and visit. By working together, we can stop those intent on violence and harm and make all our communities stronger and safer. If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111, no-one will know that you have made that call. If you have been affected by this case and want to speak to someone or access support, you can contact my Victim Care Merseyside service on:- 08081753080 or visit:- VictimCareMerseyside.Org."
 

New Research Reveals Brits Would Rather Holiday with Pals Than Partners

A new national study on friendship reveals mates win over dates, with 28% of Brits aged:- 40 to 65, in relationships confessing they would rather holiday with friends than their partners. 48% of women polled admit to having more fun with friends and 32% of men prefer the quality 1 on 1 time with mates that holidays offer.

The research of adults aged:- 40 to 65, commissioned by global hotel brand TUI BLUE, revealed the importance of friendship in mid life with 63% of those polled stating their friendship group has helped them through the most difficult times of their lives. When asked, 75% claimed their friendships have a positive impact on both their general and mental wellbeing. Yet surprisingly, for a nation of avid holiday-goers, 45% of Brits aged over 40 have never gone on holiday with their friends.

Following this discovery, TUI BLUE has once again partnered with wellness advocate Davina McCall to highlight the importance of friendships, particularly at mid-life. Last year Davina tested the brand's Wellness Menu, designing her perfect personal holiday itinerary in Turkey. This year, she went to Cyprus to explore the research findings, highlighting why friendships are so important at this life stage and why it's key to invest in them.

Davina McCall said:- "The way you make and catch up with friends changes as you get older, and by the time you hit midlife you really know who's important in your life. Good friends are SO important and can make us feel amazing, but nearly ˝ of us have never been on a 'mates' holiday! I was amazed by this, so I joined 3 pairs of friends in Cyprus with TUI BLUE to understand why. The reasons are familiar... family commitments, distance, work, health problems, but what became clear is the importance of making the time. We had such a lovely week kayaking, doing Pilates and Aquafit classes, eating amazing food and just enjoying downtime in the sun. It made us all appreciate how doing things with best friends can make your life richer, and what better way to do this than on holiday?"

The national study revealed that more than a 3rd of adults claim their best friend knows them better than their partner, yet sadly 61% struggle to find time to meet up. On holiday with Davina were best friends Amie and Katie from Liverpool, who joined her in an Aquafit class at the TUI BLUE Atlantica Aeneas Resort. At 40 they have been through countless challenges together, from parental loss to perimenopause, but had never found the time to go on holiday together. Commenting on their friendship, Katie said:- "We've been friends since we were teens, and it's a crime this is our 1st ever holiday together. This week has made us realise that we must go on holiday more often; without life's distractions. It's important to make it a priority. Nostalgia is lovely, but taking the time to make new memories together is everything. 49% of adults surveyed admitted having children has impacted their number of friends."

Londoners Kehinde and Sonya, who met each other over 20 years ago, spoke to Davina after enjoying a Pilates class together said:- "We might speak every day, but as we get older, we want those special moments together. We love our kids, but spending time just with each other this week, enjoying beautiful weather and doing things we love was so special. Making the time to have a holiday with your friend, is something that carries you in the future." The research also discovered that more than a quarter of those polled met their current best friends back at School (27%), yet sadly only one in 4 of these friendships last until our 50s, and seven in 10 adults over 40 (70%) admit they have less friends than they did in their 20s. Part of the minority were Andrew, 60, and Timothy, 59, who met on their second day of infant School and have been best mates ever since. Speaking to Davina after kayaking on the crystal clear waters of Nissi Beach with her Andrew said:- "We've seen each other through thick and thin over the past 55 years. Our advice? Make the time for each other. Schedule a holiday. You never know what's around the corner. Don't waste your time thinking about it. Just go on and enjoy it."

The study also uncovered Regional differences in our friendships:-

• 71% of those polled in Wales admit they confide in friends instead of their partner, compared to the national average of 59%.
   

• 62% of those polled in Sheffield admit they have fewer friends now than when they were single, compared to the national average of 49%.
   

• 51% of those polled in the North West have never been on holiday with friends, compared to the national average of 45%.

Managing Director of TUI BLUE, Louise Bates, adds:- "As part of the world's leading travel company, we understand how holidays connect people and were surprised so many of us want to get away with our friends but don't manage to. After working with Davina to launch our wellness menu last year we knew she was the perfect partner to explore why it is so important to invest in quality time with friends and what it means to escape the everyday and reconnect. We designed an itinerary that allowed Davina and her new friends to do just that, and hope their experiences inspire others to take the time to make new memories with their mates, at home or abroad."

Davina and friends were guests of the TUI BLUE Aeneas Resort in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. As well as enjoying delicious Mediterranean food and exploring the nearby golden beaches, the group took full advantage of the unrivalled range of activities offered by TUI BLUE to reconnect; from fitness challenges to indulgent spa experiences and wellness classes. View the short film of their journey featuring Davina McCall here, and head to:- Tui-Blue.Com to find perfect personalised holidays to connect with loved ones.

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