Man arrested following injury shooting in Huyton

We have arrested a man following an injury shooting in Huyton on Tuesday 2 May.

It was reported that a 37-year-old man was shot on Brookwood Road and suffered gunshot injuries to his leg and foot.

We have now arrested a 20-year-old man from Huyton on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He was also arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in connection to an unrelated incident on Friday 3 May.

He has been given conditional bail pending further enquiries.

The arrest was made by officers from the Home Office-based initiative in parts of Knowsley called EVOLVE, which aims to help areas most affected by serious and organised crime.

Dedicated officers use all available powers and tactics to disrupt and deter organised crime group activity as well as breakdown their business models and recruitment chains. Partners are also working hard to build the community into an area where people would love to love, work and visit and one less able to be exploited by gangs.

The arrest is also a positive result for the ongoing Operation Athena, which is a proactive policing operation by Merseyside Police that aims to disrupt organised crime across Knowsley and reassure communities.

As part of this ongoing campaign, on Friday 5 May we seized a cannabis farm consisting of 53 plants from a property on Court Hey Road, as well as more than £7,000 in cash and a zombie-style knife.

A 38-year-old man from Roby was arrested suspicion of possessing a controlled Class A drug (cocaine); possession of an offensive weapon; possession with intent to supply a controlled Class B drug (cannabis); abstracting/using without authority electricity; producing controlled Class B drug (cannabis); and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

We have also arrested a 41-year-old woman from Kirkby on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker following an incident on Friday 5 May when officers carried out a warrant in the area. She has been given unconditional bail pending further enquiries.

Superintendent for Knowsley Karl Baldwin said: “Since the launch of Operation Athena, our officers have been busy carrying out a proactive policing operation in the area.

As a result, in the last few days we’ve arrested 14 people who we suspect are linked to organised crime. We’ve executed 13 warrants, seized drugs, cash and weapons which includes a viable firearm.

“The shooting on Brookwood Close would have caused alarm for the community. I hope the visible demonstration of our commitment to rooting out organised crime and protecting the community, reassures people that we will be relentless in bringing those that cause harm to justice.

“Although we have made key arrests, Operation Athena is not over and we will continue to target those involved in serious organised crime in Knowsley.

“Help us continue disrupting organised crime and keep people safe. If you know something, tell us.

“You can report any information to our contact centre via 101 or the Merseyside Police Website. You can pass information on anonymously via crime stoppers on 0800 555 111”.