Two men shot in ‘targeted’ daytime attack in Prescot
Officers were called to reports that two men in their 20s had been found with gunshot wounds on Pottery Lane at 2.50pm on Sunday (24 May)
Two men have been shot in a residential area of Merseyside in what police believe was a targeted attack.
Officers were called to reports that two men in their 20s had been found with gunshot wounds on Pottery Lane, next to Stadt Moers Park, in Prescot, at 2.50pm on Sunday (24 May).
Both are in hospital and Merseyside Police have urged people to avoid the area while they investigate.
Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said in a statement: “To fire a weapon in our communities at any time is of course a concern, but to do so in a residential area on a Sunday afternoon is beyond comprehension.”
Gun crime has become “increasingly rare” in Merseyside in recent years, he added.
This has been “in no small part down to the information, engagement and partnership work in those areas which have been affected”, Mr Speight said as he appealed for information.
“If you know anything, speak to us directly or anonymously and we will take positive action to find and remove from the community any firearms and those people reckless enough to use them.”
Mr Speight said: “Our initial assessment is this was a targeted attack on the two victims, for reasons we will establish as the investigation progresses.”
He added: “I want to make it clear to anyone involved that our determination to find those responsible will be absolute, and we will target anyone who has carried out this shooting, or assisted those responsible in any way.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 101 online quoting incident reference 572 of Sunday May 24 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.