Gunfire shock as scrambler fears mount
RESIDENTS living on a Maghull estate at the centre of a shooting say they are frightened because of scrambler yobs plaguing the area.
On Friday night, a shotgun was fired at a house in Parkbourn at about 8.40pm, prompting armed police to descend on the area and the police helicopter to circle overhead in a hunt for the gunman.
Windows were smashed and panelling around the glass was also damaged. Families said they heard “two loud bangs echo around the estate” in what police believe was a targeted attack.
Terrified homeowners spoke out about the problem of scrambler bike riders on their estate, where a police cordon was put in place as detectives and forensic officers tried to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
One man, who has lived on the estate for more than 25 years and asked not to be named, said he feared a gang culture seemed to be de-veloping in the “leafy suburb”.
He said: “Every week we have people in black outfits and caps riding around the square and using the service road on their scrambler bikes.
“Recently, there seems to have been a disproportionate amount of issues and anti-social behaviour.
“There has been drug dealing and gangs turning up here. The house that was shot at was also firebombed around five years ago.
“The shots on Friday night were really loud, I made a joke about it being fireworks going off but then realised it was definitely a shotgun and five or six police cars came with armed officers. It is very worrying.”
Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said the noise was so loud he thought the shots were being fired at his house.
He added: “Maghull has had some trouble in the past but we have a great community around here and we just don’t want it starting up again.”
Fortunately, nobody was injured in the attack, and police are now appealing for information about the shooting.
Roads surrounding the incident were sealed off to allow detectives to carry out their investigation.
A spokesman for the force said: “We are appealing for information after a firearms discharge in Maghull. Armed police attended and confirmed damage to windows consistent with a shotgun having been fired.
“Nobody was injured and it is initially believed to have been a targeted incident.”
Officers will be in the area to carry out houseto-house, witness and forensic inquiries and to offer reassurance to the community.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101, quoting incident number 964, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously and free, on 0800 555 111.