Neighbours got letters from police and woke up to crime scene on their doorsteps

Gunshots rang out in Stockbridge Village, cracking the window in the front door of a family home. The incident occurred at around 8pm yesterday, November 10, on Round Hey.

People living on part of the cul-de-sac surrounding the green received letters from Merseyside Police informing them of "an on-going live investigation", which led to a segment of road being cordoned off for several hours this morning, November 11. Police officers could be seen searching the grass, bushes and the surrounding streets, as well as the driveway of the house that was fired at.

A crack could be seen in the window of the property, which sources at the scene said was probably caused by "a high-powered BB" gun. It was not the first time gunfire had been heard on Round Hey, as one male neighbour said: "Four or five years ago we had someone come and fire a shotgun at our house. And that was meant for [another property] because he was dealing drugs. The pellets are still in the wall and the door.

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"And there was a car a number of years ago set on fire. It does make me feel unsafe but I know how to look after myself."

He added: "The first I saw of it was when I came out at 8.20am and I saw a female copper and I saw all the blue tape everywhere. I asked one of the coppers and he said a firearm had been fired."

A number of residents told the ECHO they did not hear any bangs - and the first they knew of the incident was the police letter, which was posted last night. One woman said: "I heard it was a BB gun. I hope nobody was hurt."

Two police vans, three Matrix vehicles, and CSI attended Round Hey this morning as residents within the cordon were confined to their homes. Tape was taken down at around 10.40pm and most of the vehicles then left the area.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We are appealing for information following a suspected firearms discharge in Stockbridge Village last night, Sunday 10 November. At around 8pm, it was reported that damage had been caused to the front door of a home on Round Hey. Officers attended the scene and following initial inquiries, it’s believed the damage was caused by a firearms discharge.

"There are no reported injuries and extensive CCTV and witness enquiries are being carried out in the area to find the people responsible. Officers remain at the scene to carry out the early stages of the investigation and we are appealing for anyone with information to please get in touch."

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson said: “Anyone who fires a weapon at a house risks causing very serious harm or worse to anyone inside. Our enquiries into this incident are at a very early stage but at this stage there are no reports of anyone being injured during the incident.

“Merseyside Police will not tolerate such dangerous and reckless behaviour and we are committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice. We understand the concern that incidents such as this will cause in the community, and I want to give my assurance that we are determined to rid the streets of firearms and find all those involved in serious organised crime.

“We conduct warrants, stop checks and searches in those areas where communities tell us people involved in gun crime operate, so keep telling us what they know so that we can take positive action.

“If you witnessed this incident, or have CCTV or doorbell footage, or any information which could help us with our inquiries then please come forward. I would also like to appeal to any motorists who were in the area, who may have captured the incident on dashcam footage to get in touch.”

Anyone with information on this incident, or who knows anything about firearms in their area, should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 24000954681 or 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.