'Police everywhere' and helicopter out in road where man was shot

Shocked residents said "police were everywhere" in their local area after a man was shot .

Last night (Saturday June 29), police descended on Lucerne Road in Seacombe after receiving reports a man had been shot in the leg just before 11.20pm.

The victim was rushed to hospital where he is being treated for the injury to his leg after two people in a car saw him in the road and called 999.

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Today, Crime Scene Investigators remain at the scene for forensic examinations and house-to-house enquiries are ongoing in the local area. Detectives will also be examining CCTV footage to establish the circumstances of the shooting.

Police have confirmed that two men from Sheffield have now been arrested following the incident.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "A 33-year-old man from Sheffield has been arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. A 35-year-old man from Sheffield, who arrested near to the Wallasey tunnel, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence."

One resident of Lucerne Road said: "I didn’t hear any shots but found out something had happened when police were on the street and the helicopter was out last night. They were everywhere."

Another local was surprised that there had been a shooting but did say "it's getting worse around here".

One woman even claimed she is "frightened to go out". She said: "It doesn't feel safe anymore. What if a stray bullet hits a random person or a kid? These people don't realise the danger they're putting other people in, who have no involvement in their dispute."

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Dalton, said: “Enquiries are in the very early stages and we are working hard to establish the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the motive behind it. We believe that two men from the Sheffield area had met with a group of three or four men in Lucerne Road and shortly after meeting a firearm was discharged which resulted in a 33-year-old man from Sheffield being shot.

"It is understood that the victim made his way on to Wheatland Lane. Two people in car, who were driving along the road, saw the victim in the road and stopped to assist and call the emergency services.

"The man was then taken to hospital where he is being treated for the injury to his leg, which is not life threatening. I am appealing to anyone who may have seen, or heard, anything before or during the incident to come forward as information they have could be crucial to our investigation.

"At approximately 11.30pm a stolen Nissan Navara was found burnt out on Clayton Lane close to Poulton Victoria Football Club, which is less than a mile away from where the incident occurred. We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the car being left and set on fire, or who saw it in the area to contact us as the information they have could be vital to our investigation. I would urge anyone who was driving in the area at the time who may have dash cam footage to contact us.

“At this stage of our inquiries the motive for the attack and the identity of the victim is unknown.

"Merseyside Police will not tolerate the use of firearms on our streets and we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in gun crime on our streets to ensure they can be brought to justice.”

Local Policing Chief Inspector Chris Ruane, added: "We understand the impact a firearms discharge can have on a local community and want to reassure them that we have increased our patrols in the area and our local policing officers will be there to speak to anyone who may have worries, or concerns, and to provide support.

"Our officers are also carrying out house-to-house enquiries on behalf of our investigations team and will be supported by our Matrix team in disrupting criminal activity in the area linked to serious and organised crime through targeted policing operations.

"Through our work in our local communities we completely understand the impact on communities of an incident like this. Our officers live and work in Merseyside too, and we have seen first-hand the pain that guns have brought to victims and their families. That is why we are totally committed to doing everything within our power to stop these people from bringing fear and worry to our communities."

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