A video shared online has falsely claimed a man was shot in an "alleged HMO" over the weekend. The footage, showing police approaching and entering a property on Balmoral Road in Fairfield, was posted by the Reform UK West Derby branch on Facebook on Sunday, October 25, alongside several incorrect claims.
The ECHO confirmed the incident took place on Thursday, October 22. The video shows police entering the semi-detached property before several loud bangs are heard from inside. The person recording can be heard claiming a "bomb" had gone off and that a man had been killed. These claims were incorrect.
Police statement and arrests
Merseyside Police confirmed the incident occurred on Balmoral Road, not Windsor Road in Tuebrook as the Reform UK branch had incorrectly stated. In a statement, a force spokesperson said: "We were contacted on the evening of Thursday, October 22, following concern for the safety of a male. Officers traced the male to a property on Balmoral Road in Fairfield and he was taken to a place of safety. Following enquiries we arrested three men."
Adrian Mucha, 19, of no fixed abode, has been charged with blackmail and was remanded into custody to appear in court on Saturday, October 24. A 60-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and have both been bailed pending further enquiries.
Social media reach
The Reform UK West Derby post, which claimed the building is an "alleged HMO," had garnered more than 70,000 views and upwards of 130 comments as of Monday, October 26. The ECHO has approached Reform UK West Derby for comment.
