Merseyside derby plea in hunt for Francesca killer - 19th Jan 2009 3:55pm
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of three-year-old Francesca Bimpson will appeal for information at tonight’s Merseyside derby.
![[Linked Image]](http://1.2.3.13/bmi/images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolecho/jan2009/0/6/EE6C5423-BFD4-8E04-1963FBB8D5BDD07A.jpg)
A message from the inquiry team will be relayed to more than 40,000 fans over Anfield’s loudspeakers before the 8pm kick-off .
Just hours earlier family and friends were saying a final farewell to Francesca who was badly burnt when her Everton home was set alight last month.
Hundreds of well-wishers were expected to attend the noon service at St Michael’s church in West Derby Road.
The three-year-old’s favourite songs –- including Girls by the Sugababes and a song from musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – were being played during the service.
A Liverpool FC spokesman said: “Everyone in the city has been saddened at this unnecessary loss of a young life.
“We would appeal on behalf of both clubs for anyone who has any information to contact Merseyside police so they can help bring those responsible to justice.”
Det Supt Dave Kelly said: “We will be using this opportunity to appeal for people to come forward with information which could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of little Francesca.
“We will be making appeals before the match and during half-time in the hope that someone in the crowd may have some information.”
Posters featuring Francesca will be displayed in the local community.
Police are trying to identify the attacker who poured petrol through the letterbox of the Bimpson family home in Norwood Grove, on the night of December 2.
Her sister Christina, eight, Anne Marie, 17 months, mum Eleanor, brother Kieron, 14, and dad Kieron, managed to escape the inferno.
But Francesca was trapped and died from her injuries three weeks later in hospital.
Her family went to visit the youngster for the final time last night in the Chapel of Rest.
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside police on 0151 777 4065 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.
A message from the inquiry team will be relayed to more than 40,000 fans over Anfield’s loudspeakers before the 8pm kick-off .
Just hours earlier family and friends were saying a final farewell to Francesca who was badly burnt when her Everton home was set alight last month.
Hundreds of well-wishers were expected to attend the noon service at St Michael’s church in West Derby Road.
The three-year-old’s favourite songs –- including Girls by the Sugababes and a song from musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – were being played during the service.
A Liverpool FC spokesman said: “Everyone in the city has been saddened at this unnecessary loss of a young life.
“We would appeal on behalf of both clubs for anyone who has any information to contact Merseyside police so they can help bring those responsible to justice.”
Det Supt Dave Kelly said: “We will be using this opportunity to appeal for people to come forward with information which could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of little Francesca.
“We will be making appeals before the match and during half-time in the hope that someone in the crowd may have some information.”
Posters featuring Francesca will be displayed in the local community.
Police are trying to identify the attacker who poured petrol through the letterbox of the Bimpson family home in Norwood Grove, on the night of December 2.
Her sister Christina, eight, Anne Marie, 17 months, mum Eleanor, brother Kieron, 14, and dad Kieron, managed to escape the inferno.
But Francesca was trapped and died from her injuries three weeks later in hospital.
Her family went to visit the youngster for the final time last night in the Chapel of Rest.
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside police on 0151 777 4065 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.
