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Young Liverpool FC star Trent Alexander-Arnold has encouraged children to stay away from street gangs and warned that gun crime is creating “fear in our city.”

Last month saw a spate of violence across Liverpool, with teenager Yusuf Sonko shot dead in Toxteth amid several other shooting incidents.

There were 11 shootings in June, including 10 over a 23-day period.

The Sonko murder followed a series of fatal shootings over the last year, which saw the deaths of Mark Hillman, Blake Brown, Thomas Baker and Aaron Lewis - and more than 30 other injury shootings.

Alexander-Arnold, from West Derby, called in to St Ambrose Primary in Speke to encourage local kids to stay away from gangs.

The 18-year-old, who broke into Jurgen Klopp’ s senior squad after making his debut in October, had been invited to the school by anti-gun and gang campaigner, James Riley.

Alexander-Arnold told the ECHO: “Educating our children to make positive choices about their lifestyle is important.

“Gang and gun crime is a massive problem ...creating fear in our city. James’s workshops and message enable children to understand the realities and dangers and how to keep themselves safe. It’s a great project and message, and I hope other local sportspeople get involved so we can inspire and make our city a safer place for everyone.”

James Riley, who spent last week working with the kids at St Ambrose, said to the ECHO: “We all know that there are challenges in Speke and I was delighted with the kids’ reaction to Trent.

“After 11 shootings last month, the city needs to pull together and end the violence by helping the police. The ‘grass culture’ needs to change and this is something that my work tackles.”

James, who grew up in north Liverpool, is a former probation officer who now runs the “Get Away ‘N’ Get Safe” scheme. His objective is to try and prevent young people from being lured into gangs and exploited by older criminals.

James visits schools across the city and his work is supported by Merseyside Police and Sefton Council.

For more information about James’ work go to www.getaway-n-getsafe.co.uk .