Two men were shot, a police officer was injured, and 18 people were arrested in incidents across Merseyside on Bonfire Night.
Merseyside Police said the actions of a "small minority" of people can have a huge impact on the experience of communities on Bonfire Night. A spokesperson for the police told the ECHO there were fewer 999 calls as well as fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage than last year.
141 incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage were reported - a reduction of nearly 50%. But several incidents including a double shooting at a community bonfire marred what was otherwise a celebratory weekend for communities across Merseyside.
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Emergency services were called to Broad Hey, Litherland at around 11.20pm on November 5 after reports that two men had been shot. The men were found with serious injuries to their legs - just yards away from the spot where a community had gathered to enjoy Bonfire Night together.
Merseyside Police is currently working under the assumption the attack was targeted. Detective Inspector Andy Dykes said the "horrendous" incident was witnessed by multiple people - and an investigation into the shooting is currently underway with witness statements and CCTV enquires taking place in the area.
D I Dykes: "Officers will be in the area today carrying out our investigation and I’d encourage people to speak to them, or if not comfortable doing so, passing information on anonymously via Crimestoppers. Guns and those who use them have no place in our communities. Working together, we can find the person responsible and remove them and their weapon from the streets."
Just hours before police officers were called to the roundabout by the entrance to Princes Park, Toxteth to reports of youths targeting cars with fireworks. Police arrived shortly after 8pm and found youths throwing lit fireworks towards cars, setting wheely bins on fire and causing obstructions in the road.
Damage was caused to police cars and a bus - and an officer also sustained an injury. Eight youths were detained and three currently remain under investigation.
A total of 18 arrests were made as part of the police operation. A spokesperson added Merseyside Police saw a slight decrease in calls, although emergency calls via 999 did increase by 32%.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed to the ECHO fire crews attended six more deliberate fires across Merseyside on Bonfire Night than last year - but fires across the bonfire period were down nearly 14 percent. The fire service said it attended 32 deliberately set anti-social behaviour fires across the region.
A spokesperson said: "We are thankful to our communities for taking on board our safety messages and advice, and for their support throughout this period."
But Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service group manager Franny Hill said crews were called out to eight firework incidents, adding: "A number of these have involved fireworks posted through letterboxes and windows - this behaviour is totally unacceptable. It may seem like a laugh or a bit of fun but this kind of behaviour has serious consequences. Whilst we are lucky no one has been seriously injured as a result of these incidents, they could have very easily resulted in a fatality."
Group Manager Hill said a small minority of people also targeted fire crews when they were working, adding: "Sadly, this is not specific to Merseyside and has been experienced by fire and rescue services across the country. Firefighters and support staff are not targets – they are members of your community who go above and beyond every day to keep you safe. They do not deserved to be attacked for simply doing their job.”
Chief Inspector Duncan Swan, the police commander who led Merseyside Police 's weekend operation, told the ECHO : "While it is pleasing to see anti-social behaviour and criminal damage decline across Merseyside for the second year running, there were still a number of incidents which resulted in a police response, working alongside other emergency services.
"Notably, this included fireworks being shot towards cars near to Princes Park, with damage caused to police cars and an officer injured. Such reckless behaviour endangers road users and others in the community and will not be tolerated. Eight youths were detained and three remain under investigation.
"Although not directly connected to any Bonfire Night celebrations, the injury shootings of two men in Netherton took place close to a community bonfire and will have been shocking to witness. Detectives are investigating this incident and remain in the area today. Across Merseyside, it’s clear that the vast majority of people enjoyed private and public bonfires and firework displays, but the actions of a small minority can have a huge impact on those in our communities, so if anyone witnessed or was targeted on Saturday and has yet to come forward, please do so and we will take the appropriate action."
You can contact us with any information via @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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