Merseyside Police has issued an update after reports of shots being fired in a Halifax branch in Bootle.
On Monday afternoon, emergency services rushed to the Strand Shopping Centre following reports of an ongoing incident and a cordon was put in place. Police confirmed they received reports a man had fired a gun at the Halifax bank branch inside the centre, before making off from the scene on a dark mountain bike.
No injuries were reported but members of staff and customers in the bank were left "extremely shaken" by the incident. On Tuesday, the force confirmed the weapon fired was a "blank firer and not a viable firearm".
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After the incident, centre management posted a statement on the shopping centre's website and Facebook page confirming the banking store will be closed "until further notice". It added: "The following stores will also be closed until further notice; The Perfume Shop, and Game. "We will update the website on a daily basis. Centre Management."
Eyewitnesses described how they had seen customers running out of the door and calling for help following the incident on Monday afternoon. Several police vehicles and officers were pictured at the scene.
Chief Inspector Gary O’Rourke previously 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.
