Two men have been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds as police confirmed they were called to the scene of a shooting this afternoon (Sunday, 24 May) in Prescot. Officers were called to Pottery Lane, near Stadt Moers Park, at 2.50pm, to reports of two men in their 20s being found with gunshot wounds.

Merseyside Police said their "initial assessment is this was a targeted attack on the two victims, for reasons we will establish as the investigation progresses".

The force said it will remain in the area to carry out urgent CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries and they are urging the public to avoid the area.

Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “Although these are the early hours of our investigation, it is absolutely vital that we gather all available evidence as soon as possible. If you saw, heard or may have captured anything on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell devices, please come forward at the earliest opportunity. Our initial assessment is this was a targeted attack on the two victims, for reasons we will establish as the investigation progresses.

“To fire a weapon in our communities at any time is of course a concern, but to do so in a residential area on a Sunday afternoon is beyond comprehension. I want to make it clear to anyone involved that our determination to find those responsible will be absolute, and we will target anyone who has carried out this shooting, or assisted those responsible in any way."

Superintendent Speight also said "gun crime in Merseyside has become increasingly rare in recent years, and it is in no small part down to the information, engagement and partnership work in those areas which have been affected".

"If you know anything, speak to us directly or anonymously and we will take positive action to find and remove from the community any firearms and those people reckless enough to use them," he also said.