Merseyside Police has introduced a Section 60 order across parts of south Sefton after shots were fired at a Bootle newsagents. The order came into force at 3pm today (Tuesday, September 8) and will remain in place until 3pm tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9).
It gives officers additional powers to search people suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder. It also authorises officers to search males aged between 18 and 40 if they believe they are involved in any crimes.
Area covered by the order
The order covers an area including parts of Bootle, Netherton and surrounding areas, within boundaries including Rimrose Valley Park, Sefton Moss Lane, Boundary Road, Netherton Way, Bailey Drive, Southport Road, Derby Road, Rimrose Road, Crosby Road South, Princess Way and Church Road.
The measures follow a shooting on Stanley Road, near the junction with Balliol Road, shortly before 5pm on Monday. Police said two males, each riding an e-bike, were involved in a confrontation with three other men on the street.
Details of the incident
Two of the men ran into a newsagents while another ran down the road. One of the e-bike riders then fired a gun towards them, causing damage to the shop window. No one was injured.
A large police cordon was put in place around Stanley Road following the incident, with access restricted at the junctions with Merton Road and Balliol Road. When the ECHO visited the scene at around 9am today, the cordon had been scaled back and Stanley Road was open to traffic. A mobile police station was parked outside Stanley Wines newsagents and off-licence, where a bullet hole could be seen in the centre of a ground-floor window.
Just before 10.40am, two Matrix police vans arrived and dozens of officers went into the shop, where they appeared to be examining CCTV footage. The pavement and several nearby businesses, including Swift's pub, William Hill and a unisex barber shop, were also closed during the police operation.
Additional powers and appeal
One witness told the ECHO on Monday night they heard what sounded like two gunshots and saw two people on large black e-bikes flee the area. Police have also introduced a Section 60AA authorisation, meaning officers can require someone to remove a face covering if they believe it is being used to conceal their identity. Anyone who refuses to remove a face covering when asked could be arrested, and officers can seize the covering.
Detective Inspector Chris Clark said: “An investigation continues at pace into this appalling incident and we are determined to find the people involved. To open fire towards a shop, which had people inside at the time, is beyond comprehension and just shows that criminals who are prepared to carry these weapons simply don’t care about the safety of others.
“If you were in the area at around the time of the incident and saw what happened or witnessed two males on two e-bikes then please come forward. I’m also specifically appealing for a potential witness to come forward. There was a man inside the newsagents at the time of the incident who could have vital information to assist our inquiries. If this is you, please come forward as a matter of urgency. We are determined to find those responsible and we will act on any information provided.”
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via the force's website or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. In an emergency always call 999.
