Shots were fired inside a café on Lodge Lane in Toxteth this afternoon (Friday, June 19), prompting a swift response from armed police. Officers arrived at the scene around 5pm following reports of multiple gunshots heard at the address.
Scene Cordoned Off
The area between Lime Grove and Bentley Road remains cordoned off, with a significant police presence. An air ambulance helicopter was seen hovering overhead, and North West Ambulance Services attended the scene.
Police confirmed no injuries occurred during the incident. After a thorough search, several casings were discovered at the premises. Officers have been observed entering and exiting Bala.bs Soulfood Kitchen on Lodge Lane.
Investigation Underway
Merseyside Police are in the early stages of their investigation, conducting CCTV and house-to-house enquiries. Chief Inspector Gillian Kearns appealed to the public for information, urging witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV footage to come forward.
Kearns stated: "I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information which could help us with our inquiries to come forward. I would also like to appeal to anyone who works in the area, who has CCTV footage that may have captured the incident to get in touch."
She added: "I would like to reassure anyone who works or lives in the area that our officers immediately respond to incidents such as these involving guns and are actively working to make Merseyside a safer place to live and work. We are relentless in our pursuit of such offenders who carry dangerous weapons in our community and urge anyone who has any information to contact us so we can find those responsible."
Appeal for Information
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police via X or Facebook @MerPolCC, report online at the Merseyside Police website, or call 101 quoting incident number 809 of Friday 19 June. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
