Police officers and a sniffer dog were sent out to search a park after a teenager was shot.
Merseyside Police is continuing to focus its attention on Everton Park following a shooting in the area on Tuesday, June 21. At around 10.45pm, it was reported that a 16-year-old boy had taken himself to the Royal Liverpool Hospital with gunshot wounds after being dropped off on an electric bike, which drove off down Prescot Road.
A police helicopter was seen circling over the area at around midnight and a section of the park remained sealed off the following day (June 22). It was later reported that scrambler bikes were seen causing havoc in the park just days before the shooting took place.
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In an update today, June 28, Merseyside Police said local officers are continuing to patrol the park following the shooting, which is believed to have been a targeted attack. They tweeted: "Your Walton Lane Community Officers were out in #EvertonPark last night continuing to patrol and provide reassurance.
"We were also joined by PD Molly and her handler who had a great time searching the park! #CommunityFirst #OneTeam."
One woman, who lives in the area, told the ECHO last week: "I think it's really bad they've got no respect for anything. It's terrifying - it's in your community. I take my grandkids in that park. It's a regular park for dog walkers and keep fitters."
Another woman said: "Fireworks are constantly going off around here so even if it was a shooting people wouldn't have known. It's scary on your doorstep, it puts you off doing anything."
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said after the shooting: “Our enquiries so far have shown that a red, white and blue motocross bike was being ridden in the Everton Brow area and an electric bike was sighted on Prescot Road at the time of the incident. If you were driving in the Everton Road or Prescot Road areas last night and have dashcam footage then please review it and if you saw either of these bikes then let us know."
“Similarly, would ask anyone who was in the area, who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously to contact us. I would also urge anyone in the area who thinks they may have captured anything significant on their mobile phone or Ring doorbell to contact us as a matter of urgency as footage they have could be vital to our investigation.
“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.”
Liverpool Community Policing Superintendent Diane Pownall said: “We understand how concerning news of this incident will be for local residents. I would like to reassure the community that the work between our local policing team and partners to ensure that Everton Park is a green space that we can all enjoy continues, following reports of anti social behaviour we've received over the last few weeks.
“Our officers are committed to eradicating the harm that the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes cause to the community in Everton through our Operation Brookdale. Through this year-round policing operation we work with partners from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), the National Police Air Service (NPAS), local authorities, housing associations, schools and youth groups to target the anti-social and nuisance use of off-road bikes.
“Since Op Brookdale began in 2012, we have seen a year-on-year decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour and nuisance involving off-road motorbikes across Merseyside and we will make sure that work continues. Our local policing team in Everton also regularly meet with our partners at Liverpool City Council and City watch to conduct joint patrols and to discuss improvements to the CCTV covering the park and improvements to street lighting to help keep our community safe.
“Through regular high-visibility patrols and partnership working we will continue to make sure that Everton Park is a green space for everyone to enjoy the good weather we’ll be having over the next few days and over the rest of summer. If you have any information about the incident last night or any concerns about criminality in the Everton Park area then do come and speak to our officers on patrol or contact us through the usual channels. All information you give to us will be acted upon.”
If you witnessed the incident or have any information, please contact @MerPolCC or call 101 with reference 22000433807. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/.
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