Appeal for information following injury shooting in Netherton

We are appealing for information following an injury shooting in Netherton earlier today, Friday 2 August.

At around 3.40pm, it was reported that a man aged in his 30s had been shot in the buttock on Fleetwood's Lane, near the canal.

Emergency services attended the scene and the victim was taken to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life threatening.

It was further reported that a group of males, who were all wearing black clothing and had face coverings, left the scene on two electric bikes.

A cordon has been set-up at the scene and officers remain in the area to carry out the initial stages of the investigation, which will include house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.

Chief Inspector Paul Rannard said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation as we seek to establish why the incident took place and who was involved.

“Fortunately, the man’s injuries are not life threatening and while I understand this is a shocking incident for the local community, we believe this was a targeted attack.

“To use a firearm in a public place in the middle of the afternoon is clearly extremely reckless and dangerous and we are determined to find the people responsible.

“We have a large police presence in the area and this will continue to reassure the community and also carry out the initial stages of the investigation.

“We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at around 3.40pm and witnessed the incident to contact Merseyside Police. Please check your CCTV, dashcam devices or doorbell footage and if you see anything suspicious, please let us know. Any information you provide, however, insignificant it may seem, could be vital to our investigation.”

Chief Inspector Rannard added: “I would encourage anyone who knows about this incident or has any information about firearms in their local community to come forward and tell us what they know.

“There is no room for guns on the streets of Merseyside and we will do everything within our power to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

If you have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage or information about this incident, please DM our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with log 677 of 2nd August.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.