Armed officers are at Showcase Cinemas and members of the public are advised to stay indoors

A police Investigation is underway and a major incident has been declared after a man fired shots at a newsagents and a busy cinema.

Police were called to Showcase Cinema on East Lancs Road around 8.50pm on Wednesday, January 3, to reports a gun had been fired. Officers were told a man had entered the premises carrying a firearm. About 20 minutes before there was an incident at Sangha's Newsagent on Lower House Lane where a firearm had been fired.

Armed officers remain at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancs Road and members of the public are advised to stay indoors.

Merseyside Police posted an appeal just before 9.09pm for people to stay away from the cinema, on East Lancs Road, due to an ongoing incident. There are dozens of police cars and armed police guarding the cordon outside the cinema. Small groups of people were being escorted from the building to their cars.

A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: “We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool. The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured. We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation.”

Social Media page, Life in Liverpool shared a video saying: "Reports of a man walking around croxteth tonight firing a gun."

A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January."

"At around 8.50pm officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm."

"About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged."

"Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing."

"At this stage no-one has been injured."

"Anyone with information which could help the police should call 999."

"The incident is fast moving and we will provide a further update as soon as possible."