Police have issued CCTV stills of two males on a motorbike after a firearms discharge in Bootle

Did you see these two males on or around Hawthorne Road in Bootle at about 10pm on Wednesday (19 June)?

Merseyside Police have issued CCTV stills of two males on a motorbike after a firearms discharge in Bootle on Wednesday night.

A report was received at 10pm that two shots had been fired in the direction of a group of three males on Hawthorne Road, between its junctions with Earl Road and Sussex Street.

It was reported two males on a motorbike stopped before one got off the vehicle and fired in the direction of the group. The males were then seen to leave the area, and the motorbike was ridden south along Hawthorne Road, towards Kirkdale.

Officers attended and damage to two windows consistent with a firearms discharge was located at the Betfred bookmakers and Best One shop on Hawthorne Road.

Enquiries to locate the offenders are ongoing, witnesses have been spoken to and CCTV footage is being viewed.

There are no reports of anyone being injured.

Detectives have now issued images of the males on the motorbike and members of the public are being urged to consider if they saw the pair on or around Hawthorne Road at around 10pm on Wednesday, or recognise the helmets they are wearing.

Temporary Chief Inspector Matthew Moscrop said: “The pillion passenger, who shot the weapon, was wearing a distinctive black helmet with two prominent green stripes, and we believe this could have caught the attention of pedestrians and motorists in the area before or after the incident.

“Did you see these two males leaving the scene after the incident at 10pm? We know they rode along Hawthorne Road in the direction of Kirkdale - did you see where they went after that? If you were driving in the area at the time, we would urge you to check dashcam footage that might show them.”

“We believe this shooting was targeted against one or more of three males who were on the pavement. Unfortunately they are not co-operating with our enquiries at this time, which makes it all the more crucial that anyone who does have information gets in touch with us or calls Crimestoppers.”

T/Chief Insp Moscrop added: “We remain committed to tackling gun crime, stopping people who recklessly put the lives of others in danger and bringing them to justice.”

“Our investigation to trace the two males responsible continues and we urge anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, has dashcam footage or any information, to DM @MerPolCC or call 101 quoting 19100322004."

You can also contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously via social media or on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crowd.in/zPmyXR