Five males arrested following firearm discharges in Prescot

We have arrested five males following reports shots were fired in the Prescot area this afternoon, Tuesday 15th August.

We were contacted at 1.50pm following reports that shots had been fired on Shaw Lane and damage had been caused to two properties.

Two males were seen on a motorbike in the street prior to the incident.

There are no reports at this stage that anyone has been injured.

It is believed that shortly prior to the event, at around 1.25pm, shots were also fired in the direction of a house on Paxton Road in Huyton. It is not clear at this stage whether any damage has been caused. There are no reports of any injuries.

Two males were also seen on a motorbike in the street prior to the incident and enquiries are ongoing to establish if the two incidents are linked.

At around 4.20pm, five males were arrested on Freckleton Road, in the Grange Park area of St Helens.

They were all arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and will be questioned by detectives. A firearm has not been found at this stage but enquiries are ongoing.

An investigation is underway and house-to-house, CCTV and witness enquiries are being carried out.

Chief Inspector Chris Ruane said: “We have arrested five people in connection to these two incidents and a full investigation is underway.

“There are no reports that anyone has been injured but the reckless firing of a gun in broad daylight in a residential street could clearly have devastating consequences.

“Our investigation is still in the very early stages and will rely heavily on information we receive from the public. I urge any residents who live in the surrounding area and have any doorbell or CCTV footage to please check their systems. If you saw what happened or have any information which could help us, please get in touch.

“We understand the fear that gun crime causes and I’d like to assure our communities that Merseyside Police is fully committed to tackling gun crime and will immediately pursue those who are prepared to use firearms on our streets.”

If you have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, or any information about this incident please DM our social media desk on Twitter @Merseypolice, or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' quoting log 493 of 15th August. Alternatively you can call the independent @CrimestoppersUK hotline anonymously on 0800 555 111.