Merseyside Detectives was Channel 4 streaming's most-watched show in August

Merseyside Detectives, the documentary showing how police officers solved the murders of Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Ashley Dale, had the highest viewing figures of any programme on Channel 4 streaming in August.

Over four episodes, the shocking and heartrending Merseyside Detectives, produced by Liverpool-based LA Productions, highlighted the toll of gun and gang crime on innocent lives and communities in Merseyside.

Using extensive body-cam footage, it revealed police investigations following the shootings in their own homes of Ashley and nine-year-old Olivia, both victims of feuding gangs.

It was the first time in 24 years that Merseyside Police had allowed documentary cameras to follow their work in the search for justice for both families.

The first episode was shown on Monday August 19, with the following three on consecutive nights.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel' Mother Cheryl, at home in Liverpool. Credit: Merseyside Detectives. — Olivia Pratt-Korbel’ Mother Cheryl, at home in Liverpool. Credit: Merseyside Detectives.

Channel 4 has now confirmed that the series was so successful that it helped its streaming service to outpace the likes of Netflix and Prime.

In August, total streaming viewing time for C4 went up by 11% compared with the same month last year. Merseyside Detectives was the most-watched show, recording an average 28 day audience of 2.1 million per episode, combining figures for real-time and streaming.

Merseyside Detectives, commissioned by C4, centred around the murders of Ashley, a 28-year-old environmental officer at Knowsley Council and schoolgirl Olivia, which happened within 48 hours of each other in August 2022.

A film-crew had been embedded with Merseyside Police for about six months when the shootings happened and the four-part series focused on the hunt for their killers. In each case, detectives believed the victims had not been the intended targets of the gunmen.

Ashley Dale's mother Julie, at home in Liverpool with a photo of Ashley. Credit: Merseyside Detectives. — Ashley Dale’s mother Julie, at home in Liverpool with a photo of Ashley. Credit: Merseyside Detectives.

The documentary gave a shocking insight into the crimes, showing police arriving at the scenes and subsequent arrests and questioning of suspects.

Thomas Cashman was found guilty of Olivia’s murder on March 30 last year. He was also found guilty of attempting to murder Joseph Nee, wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm against Cheryl Korbel and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 42 years.

James Witham, Joseph Peers, Niall Barry and Sean Zeisz were found guilty of Ashley’s murder at Liverpool Crown Court in November and jailed for a combined total of 173 years.

Speaking at the time it was shown, Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell described Merseyside Detectives as a “hard, emotional watch”, which was also important.

“It sends a powerful message about the destruction and damage caused by guns in our communities and the harm inflicted by the contemptible minority who use them,” she said.