Man arrested following shooting in Netherton

We have arrested a man and seized a weapon following a shooting in Netherton on Friday 7 March.

At around 11.15am, it was reported that a man aged in his 20s had been shot in Killen Green Park, near Granams Croft.

It was further reported that the victim had been on a yellow scrambler bike in the area shortly before the incident.

He left the scene on foot and was located nearby by emergency services. He has now been taken to hospital for treatment to an arm injury, where his condition is described as serious but stable.

Detectives believe it was a targeted incident.

A 27-year-old man from Netherton was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of a firearm without a certificate. He was taken into custody for questioning where he remains.

During a search of Killen Green Park, a blank-firing pistol was recovered by officers and taken for forensic examination. It is not believed the be connected to the incident at this stage.

Three warrants were executed in connection with the investigation with mobile phones and clothing seized.

Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “The use of firearms in our communities is quite simply unacceptable.

“We are relentless in our pursuit of anyone prepared to use such weapons on our streets

“Officers are conducting warrants, land searches and stop searches all year round to disrupt people who carry weapons, and that activity is targeted based on our intelligence and information from the public.

“Guns bring nothing but misery to our communities and we would ask for people in those communities affected to come forward with any information they may have so we can bring those responsible to justice and prevent further incidents.
“We are making good progress with this investigation, and residents in Netherton will have seen an increased high visibility policing presence in the area.

“We continue to appeal for any information from witnesses who have not yet come forward.

"If you were in the area Killen Green Park at around 11.15am on Friday (7 March) and saw or heard anything suspicious or believe you may have captured something significant on dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera, please get in touch.

“We ask our communities to keep helping us by coming forward and telling us what they know so that we can take action.”

Anyone with information on this incident should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101 quoting incident reference  25000193010.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999.