Teenage boy arrested for Rhys Jones murder

LONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) Detectives hunting the killer of 11-year-old Rhys Jones said today they had arrested a teenager on suspicion of murder.

Jones died after being shot in the neck outside a pub in the Croxteth area of Liverpool a week ago as he returned from playing football nearby.

''A 15-year-old youth from the local area has been arrested on suspicion of murder,'' a police spokeswoman said.

Detectives have so far arrested 10 other suspects, mainly teenagers, in connection with the killing. They have all been released either without charge or on police bail.

Police believe the killer, who fired three shots, was a hooded youth aged between 13 and 15 who had been riding a bicycle.

Yesterday, officers conducted a search of nearby woodland after a tip-off from a member of the public.

At 7.30 pm (local time) today, exactly a week after the shooting, officers will conduct foot patrols and stop cars near the Fir Tree Pub and hand out leaflets to passers-by.

''The investigative team hope that the anniversary may jog people's memories about who was in the area when Rhys was shot,'' the police spokeswoman said.

Jones's parents, Melanie and Stephen, have pleaded with witnesses to be ''brave'' and tell police what they know.

''People are frightened to come forward and frightened to give evidence. They fear for themselves and for their own families,'' Melanie said.

In a unique show of solidarity yesterday, Liverpool Football Club paid the ''ultimate tribute'' to Jones, a season ticket holder at Everton, by playing their arch rivals' anthem before their Champions League match with Toulouse.

Liverpool FC chiefs decided to play the tune ''Johnny Todd'', the theme tune for the TV show Z-Cars, which usually greets Everton when they take to the pitch.

REUTERS SS HT1732