Parents told of their shock after a man was shot near a park that's popular with children and dog walkers.
A section of Everton Park remains sealed off by police today after shots were fired in the Everton Brow area at around 10.30pm last night (Tuesday). At around 10.45pm, Merseyside Police said they received reports that a man had taken himself to the Royal Liverpool Hospital with gunshot wounds.
He was dropped off at the hospital on an electric bike, which was reported to have driven off down Prescot Road. A police helicopter was seen circling over Everton Park at around midnight as neighbours looked outside to see what was going on.
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One woman, who lives in the area, told the ECHO: "I think it's really bad they've got no respect for anything. It's terrifying - it's in your community. I take my grandkids in that park. It's a regular park for dog walkers and keep fitters."
Road closures remain in place on Everton Road today, where forensics appear to be focusing their investigations on the corner of Fitzclarence Way. Officers are also looking to trace a red, white and blue motocross bike, reported in the Everton Brow area at the time of the incident.
One woman told the ECHO she heard what she thought was the sound of fireworks earlier on Tuesday evening, but it wasn't until later that police arrived. She said: "I automatically assume that it's fireworks and then of course the police came and I'm like 'was it fireworks?'
"I spent the whole night with the house lit up with blue flashing lights."
Another woman said: "Fireworks are constantly going off around here so even if it was a shooting people wouldn't have known. It's scary on your doorstep, it puts you off doing anything."
Merseyside Police believe the shooting was a targeted attack with no wider threat to the local community. One woman, who lives in the area, said she was watching Love Island at around 9pm last night when she saw several bikes going past her house. She said: "I thought 'they're up to no good them.'
"There's always bikes speeding up and down this street every day. It quietened down but there's been a lot more recently."
Another mum said: "It's really scary sometimes in that park. It is a bit dangerous with teenagers - they scare people, they always have their faces covered, always dressed in black in that park."
Merseyside Police said it is working to ensure that Everton Park is a green space that everyone can enjoy following reports of anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said: “The investigation is in its early stages and we are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of a shooting last night which left a male injured.
“Fortunately the male has not suffered life-threatening injuries and at this stage we believe that this was a targeted attack with no wider threat to the local community.
“Nonetheless, this would have been an extremely shocking incident for anyone to witness. We have a large police presence in the area carrying out inquiries and I would encourage people to come forward and tell us what they know.
"We have increased patrols in the area following the incident and crime scene investigations are being carried out. Officers will also be reviewing CCTV footage and are conducting house-to-house enquiries in the area in a bid to identify offenders.
“Our enquiries so far have shown that a red, white and blue motocross bike was being ridden in the Everton Brow area and an electric bike was sighted on Prescot Road at the time of the incident. If you were driving in the Everton Road or Prescot Road areas last night and have dashcam footage then please review it and if you saw either of these bikes then let us know.
“Similarly, would ask anyone who was in the area, who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously to contact us. I would also urge anyone in the area who thinks they may have captured anything significant on their mobile phone or Ring doorbell to contact us as a matter of urgency as footage they have could be vital to our investigation.
“There is no room for guns on the streets of Merseyside and we will do everything within our power to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Liverpool Community Policing Superintendent Diane Pownall said: “We understand how concerning news of this incident will be for local residents. I would like to reassure the community that the work between our local policing team and partners to ensure that Everton Park is a green space that we can all enjoy continues, following reports of anti-social behaviour we've received over the last few weeks.
“Our officers are committed to eradicating the harm that the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes cause to the community in Everton through our Operation Brookdale. Through this year-round policing operation we work with partners from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), the National Police Air Service (NPAS), local authorities, housing associations, schools and youth groups to target the anti-social and nuisance use of off-road bikes.
“Since Op Brookdale began in 2012, we have seen a year-on-year decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour and nuisance involving off-road motorbikes across Merseyside and we will make sure that work continues. Our local policing team in Everton also regularly meet with our partners at Liverpool City Council and City watch to conduct joint patrols and to discuss improvements to the CCTV covering the park and improvements to street lighting to help keep our community safe.
“Through regular high-visibility patrols and partnership working we will continue to make sure that Everton Park is a green space for everyone to enjoy the good weather we’ll be having over the next few days and over the rest of summer. If you have any information about the incident last night or any concerns about criminality in the Everton Park area then do come and speak to our officers on patrol or contact us through the usual channels. All information you give to us will be acted upon.”
If you witnessed the incident or have any information, please contact @MerPolCC or call 101 with reference 22000433807. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/
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