CCTV appeal following shooting in Walton

We have issued a CCTV stills as detectives continue to appeal for information following an injury shooting in Walton on Wednesday night (23 January).

At around 6.10pm, armed police and the ambulance service were called to Rice Lane to reports that a 23-year-old man had been shot in the leg.

The offenders are believed to have left the scene in a white Peugeot Expert van.

He was taken to hospital for assessment of his injuries, consistent with a shotgun discharge, and he was discharged earlier today (Thursday).

Crime scene investigators have carried out forensic examinations at the scene and line searches have also been carried out. House-to-house inquiries have been conducted and officers are also examining extensive CCTV footage from the area in a bid to identify those responsible.

High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to reassure the public.

A white Peugeot Expert van was found on fire in Walton Hall Park at 3am on Thursday, and detectives are keeping an open mind as to whether it was the van used during the incident.

Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have seen the van earlier in the evening, or when it was being abandoned, to contact them.

Detective Inspector Nick Suffield said: "This was a deliberate and targeted attempt to seriously injure a 23-year-old man and we are determined to find those responsible and take them off our streets.

“I would urge anyone who was on Rice Lane or the surrounding areas at the time of the incident, who may have heard or seen anything suspicious to please come forward. You may have witnessed the incident, seen people making off from the scene, or have dashcam footage. Any information, no matter how small, could be vital for our investigation.

“We would still like to speak to anyone who may have seen a white Peugeot Expert van being driven around the area before, or after the incident. A van of the same model and colour was found abandoned and on fire in Walton Hall Park at 3am. The van damaged gates at the park entrance off Blackthorne Road and would have made a loud noise, so we ask anyone who might have heard or seen anything to contact us.

"I would urge any members of the public who have information which could help us to take positive action against those involved in gun crime and make our streets safer to pick up the phone and tell us what they know."

If you have any information about this incident, or those involved in gun crime you can contact our social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100023480 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.