A bank where a man reportedly fired a gun inside will be closed for the next week.
Emergency services swarmed the Strand shopping centre in Bootle at around 12.25pm on Monday, May 30, following reports of a gun being fired. Police cordoned off the scene inside the centre while shaken staff were led away.
Eyewitnesses told police a man fired a gun in the bank branch and then made off from the scene on a dark mountain bike. No injuries were reported and an investigation was launched by detectives and extensive forensic enquiries are ongoing to establish whether a gun was fired.
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Halifax are supporting staff and the branch will remain closed while police investigations continue. The branch is expected to reopen next Monday, after the Bank Holiday weekend.
A Halifax Bank spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident which took place at our Halifax branch in Bootle today, and are assisting police with their investigations."
The Perfume Shop and Game will also be closed in Bootle Strand Shopping Centre, with the centre management confirming they would be updating their website on a daily basis to let people know when they will reopen.
Chief Inspector Gary O’Rourke said: "This was an incredibly reckless act which would have been an extremely shocking for anyone to witness. I’d like to reassure the community that while the investigation is in its early stages, we’re working tirelessly to locate the person responsible and remove him from the streets. We would appeal for anyone in Bootle shopping centre this afternoon who saw the man described or anything suspicious to come forward."
The suspect is described as a white male, of slim build and around 5ft, 11in tall. At the time of the incident he had his face covered and was wearing dark clothing and a Puma hoodie. CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing to locate him. No cash is believed to have been stolen from the bank during the incident.
Chief Insp Gary O’Rourke added: "If you were driving in the Bootle Strand area and have dashcam footage then please review it and let us know if you see anything, particularly the man on a bike described. Our officers will remain at the scene outside Bootle Shopping Centre while extensive enquiries are carried out and to provide reassurance to the local community, so please come and speak to them and let us know if you have any information which could help our investigation.
"There is no room for weapons and those who use them on our streets so please, tell us what you know and help us put the person responsible before the courts."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with reference 22000373098. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form online.
Anyone with any video footage of the incident, can upload this to be viewed by police via the following link to the NICE website: digital-policing.co.uk
