Increased patrols continue in Everton following firearms discharge

Officers will continue to relentlessly pursue those who are involved in serious organised crime in the Everton area following a firearms discharge in the area earlier this week.

On Wednesday 13 December, two males, aged 18 and 24, sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and an investigation is ongoing to find the people responsible.

A Section 60 Order is currently in place with increased patrols in the area to provide a visible presence and help prevent crime or serious violence.

Chief Inspector Steven Robinson said: “There is an increased policing presence in the Everton area through an ongoing Section 60 Order, which shows how Merseyside Police will use everything in our power to relentlessly pursue those involved in serious organised crime, including the use of guns and the supply and distribution of drugs.

“There is simply no hiding place for anyone who is intent on causing misery in our communities and we will find you. Those who are prepared to use guns on our streets, with little or no regard for other members of the community, will be pursued and brought before the courts.

“My message to those involved in gun crime and serious organised crime is clear – Merseyside Police will never rest and we will use everything in our power to reduce these offences.

“Throughout the last decade we have worked hard to reduce gun crime on Merseyside and in 2021 we saw the result of that hard work with the lowest number of discharges that Merseyside had seen for more than 20 years (there were 125 gun discharges in 2012 compared to 43 in 2021).

“Most of our firearms discharges are linked to the organised supply of drugs and often emanate from minor disputes between younger, disorganised criminals who have access to firearms.

“The use of firearms, violence and intimidation has no place in our communities, and sadly we often see firearms being used to resolve petty and pathetic issues.

"We would like to reassure the community that the police and partners are doing all we can to prevent these terrible events happening in our community, but we need your help.

"The police have increased patrols in the area and I would encourage anyone who has any information in relation to this matter to contact them and work together to make our communities safe and free from gun crime.

“Information from the public is vital if we are to continue to breakdown the organised crime groups who bring misery to our streets and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.

"If you don’t want to contact the police direct then I would encourage you to use the totally independent Crimestoppers service, this is totally independent from the Police and is totally anonymous."

You can pass any information by calling 101, via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook with reference number 23001269221.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.