Detectives scoured land in Wirral after a young woman was shot dead at a pub on Christmas Eve.
Police visited Birkenhead, Woodchurch and Wallasey on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in high visibility patrols in direct response to the fatal shooting of Elle Edwards at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village. Ms Edwards was enjoying a night out with friends when she was shot in the head on December 24.
The 26-year-old was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital but later died. She is not believed to have been the intended target of the attack, during which four men were also injured.
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During a press conference on Christmas Day, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said a 28-year-old man from Beechwood was in "critical condition" after being hit with a bullet. A 22-year-old man also suffered an injury to his legs, a 24-year-old man sustained an injury to his hand and a 33-year-old man suffered an injury to his wrist.
Merseyside Police has carried out two open land searches and eight stop searches in Wirral over the last two days as part of an ongoing operation to target criminals in the area. Six people were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including drink driving, drug driving and being in possession of controlled drugs.
In one incident a 37-year-old woman from Moreton was arrested after officers sighted a vehicle being driven erratically and two females were detained. A small quantity of cannabis was found on the passenger, and she was given a community resolution order.
In two separate incidents, David Edwards, 49 years, of Fairmead Road in Moreton, and Michael Robson, 37 years, Claughton Firs in Oxton were charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level is above the limit.
Both suspects have been bailed and will appear in court at a later date.
Peter Rexwinkel, Community Policing Inspector for Wirral, said: “This police operation is an on-going disruption to target criminals involved in serious and organised crime in Wirral.
“We received positive feedback from residents in these communities about the proactive police work being carried out to tackle crime, and our officers have been chatting to residents about community issues which they might not have told us about.
“Enforcement operations like this illustrates that Merseyside Police will proactively tackle issues that matter most to residents and keep our streets safe. This supports the work we do every day of the year to tackle those who offend in our communities.
“Stop searches, warrants, land searches and arrests take place all year round, and in many instances it is thanks to the public who tell us where there are issues in the community.
“If you have anti-social behaviour or criminality in your area let us know and we will take action.”
Anyone who has information about drug dealing in the community, where weapons are being stored or who is using them can contact us by sending a DM to @MerPolCC, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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