Boy, 16, arrested for firearms offences following Operation Target day of action in Bootle

A 16 year-old boy has been arrested in connection with two firearms discharges.

Operation Target officers stopped a taxi on Peel Road in Bootle last night, Wednesday 10^th July, as part of a day of multi-agency day of action held in the Bootle area yesterday.

The 16 year-old, who is from the Kirkby area, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm in relation to a firearms discharge at South Road, Crosby on 7^th May and a damage only discharge in Elm Gardens in Seaforth on 9^th June.

He is currently in custody where he will be questioned by detectives.

As a result of yesterday’s action, seven warrants were carried out and a number of arrests made, including a 34-year-old man from Litherland arrested on suspicion of theft of a motorbike, a 35-year-old woman from Bootle arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of cannabis. Both have been released under investigation.

Others voluntarily attended police stations in relation to drug and money laundering offences.

The day of action saw Merseyside Police working alongside Sefton Council and local housing trusts in areas of Bootle which have seen serious incidents of violence recently, including gun crime, arson and violence.

Superintendent Graeme Robson, Area Commander for Sefton said: “We had a successful day yesterday, working with our partners, to take action following incidents of serious violence in the Bootle community.

“I would like to thank the public for their patience while we carried out warrants, searches and stop checks in their neighbourhoods and I hope they felt reassured by our presence and proactivity.

“Operation Target is an important tool for Merseyside Police to show that serious and violent crime will not be tolerated on our streets and we will take action.”