Merseyside Police has deployed a mobile police station to Lodge Lane in Toxteth following a cafe shooting on June 19, the second firearms discharge in the area in a month. The force confirmed on Tuesday that additional officers have been deployed to provide reassurance to business owners and residents.
Second shooting in a month
Police confirmed an investigation remains ongoing after a man sustained a gunshot wound inside Bala B's Soul Food Kitchen on Lodge Lane on June 19. Several bullet casings were found inside the premises, and the victim, believed to be a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with gunshot injuries. It is understood the victim was chased down Lodge Lane, towards Sefton Park, when he entered the cafe and was shot. The gunman then fled the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Nuttall previously said: "Firing a gun inside a cafe was a dangerous and reckless act of violence where many more people could have been hurt and led to more tragic circumstances." The force put in place a stop and search order following the shooting which remained until Saturday evening. The mobile police station will allow people to raise concerns and report any incidents.
Community reassurance and investigation
Merseyside Police neighbourhood Chief Inspector Hamish Rawcliffe said: "This is the second firearms discharge in the area this month. The use of guns and dangerous weapons cannot be tolerated in our communities. A team of specialist detectives are investigating this offence. We have increased the number of officers in the local area and are keen to speak with anyone who may be able to support and work to prevent the use of firearms and other weapons across Merseyside."
Previous shooting on June 3
The terrifying incident followed a man being shot in the arm near the African Caribbean Council Community Centre on the evening of June 3. The man then ran from the centre to the corner of Carlingford Close and Selborne Street where he was found after collapsing on the pavement. The ECHO recently reported how the victim was not cooperating with police and detectives believe the gunman in that incident was on an electric bike and dressed in black.
A police spokesperson said on Monday that detectives were yet to connect the two shootings but were "keeping an open mind". The ECHO reported on Sunday that police carried out house searches on Carlingford Close and Kingsley Road in Toxteth, with armed police being called to the scene. The two searches are said to be linked to an ongoing investigation, although police did not specify what the probe was. No arrests were made following the searches and no items were recovered as part of the police operation.
Police appeal for information
Ch Ins Rawcliffe added: "We urge anyone with information on what happened on Friday 19 June, no matter how small, to contact us to support our investigation. Please contact Merseyside Police with any information, however trivial, along with any CCTV, Ring doorbell footage. Any information you provide will be taken seriously and followed up on by our officers." Merseyside Police said anyone can provide information by quoting incident number 809 on June 19. People can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers.
