Two rival gangs are engaged in a dangerous turf war in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, leaving the community caught in the crossfire. Two separate shootings in June 2026 have heightened fears among residents, who report feeling unsafe even during daylight hours. The violence, linked to drug dealing gangs operating on opposite sides of Princes Road, has escalated since the summer of 2025, with multiple incidents involving firearms and knives.
Shootings in Broad Daylight Spark Fear
On June 19, a man in his 20s was chased and shot at on Lodge Lane, a busy thoroughfare, at around 5pm. The gunman fired multiple shots before fleeing in a taxi. The victim sought refuge in Bala B's Soul Food Kitchen. This incident followed a shooting on June 3 outside the African Caribbean Centre, where a 19-year-old man was shot in the arm and collapsed on Carlingford Close. His mother rushed to the scene, and he survived by "sheer good luck," according to the Liverpool Echo.
Resident Lee Brady, a father of two who has lived in Toxteth since 2008, expressed his concern: "People are worried, shootings are becoming normal. It's one thing it happening at night when it is dark, but it is now happening in broad daylight." He added, "It is becoming the norm. When someone is walking into a cafe and shooting at people it is only a matter of time until an innocent person is killed."
Community Leaders Speak Out
Fatima Adan, a key figure at the Granby Somali Women's Group, said: "People are very concerned. They are nervous about their kids walking home from school on their own. It will soon be the summer holidays so they're nervous about letting their children out of the house." She noted that residents feel a "heightened sense of fear" and that the police presence has been insufficient since the closure of the Granby Street police station due to structural issues.
The violence can be traced back to incidents in June and October 2025 around Kingsley Road. On June 12, over half a dozen shots were fired, and a stray bullet hit a parked car. On October 5, shots were fired from a car chasing a man on a bike, with a bullet piercing the front window of a family home. Crime sources told the Echo that the escalation is due to two street-level drug dealing gangs engaged in a "turf war." One source said: "The head honchos have been taken out and the younger generation have lost control. It's just getting out of control."
Residents Demand Action
A resident who has lived off Lodge Lane for 15 years said: "People on the WhatsApp groups generally think this is ridiculous now. It has never been like this, it has never been this bad." He noted that groups of teenagers have been openly selling drugs outside a convenience store on Kingsley Road. Another mother, who asked not to be named, said she now picks her children up from school to ensure their safety. "How can we make sure our children are safe here when people can't even go to a cafe without maybe being shot?" she said.
Kim Johnson, MP for Riverside, said: "I am working with local councillors, the police and crime commissioner, the police and the community to host a public meeting. Constituents are very concerned about the increase and the perceived failure of the police." A community meeting is scheduled for Sunday at the African Caribbean Centre to discuss steps to address the violence.
Police Response and Arrests
Merseyside Police have made arrests in connection with both shootings. A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for the June 3 incident and has been bailed. A 19-year-old man was arrested for the June 19 shooting and also bailed pending further enquiries. Officers also executed a warrant on Lodge Lane, seizing phones and drugs.
Chief Inspector Hamish Rawcliffe said: "We understand the impact that incidents involving weapons can have on a community. We continue to keep an open mind about the motives for this month's incidents, but we are treating them as targeted." He added that mobile police stations have been deployed to the area, and proactive work has led to year-on-year reductions in firearms incidents across Merseyside.
