Police given extra powers after 'gun' pulled out in Toxteth

Police have been handed extra powers after it was reported a man "pulled out a gun" outside a mosque in Toxteth. Emergency services received reports at around 2pm on Friday, November 22, that two men on bikes were seen to ride onto Hatherley Street from Mulgrave Road, near to the Al Rahma mosque in Toxteth, as a number of people were coming out of the mosque following afternoon prayers.

One of the men on the bikes was seen to get off his bike and ran at two other men who ran inside the mosque. When he got to the front of the mosque it is believed that he pulled out a gun and then walked away.

The suspect then got back on his bike, and the two men rode off towards Grafton Street. The suspected firearm was not discharged and no-one was injured during the incident. Police officers attended the scene, but both the offenders, and the two men who were targeted, had left the area.

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Merseyside Police has now confirmed the force has introduced a section 60 order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, giving officers enhanced powers to stop and search people in the area. It also allows police the ability to arrest people should they fail to remove a face covering when asked to. Any face covering can also be seized. The order will remain in place until 5pm today, November 24.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Sharon Robinson said: “There continues to be increased patrols in this area of Toxteth today and this order will give those officers on the ground the ability to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality, and strengthen their ability to protect the community from any further disorder.

“The aim, as ever, is to keep the public safe, and residents will see more police patrols today. I hope their continued presence is reassuring, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers. We have deployed a number of Section 60s before and will continue to deploy them where we believe they can assist our efforts to keep people safe.”

Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.