POLICE introduced an order to enable greater stop and search powers after shots were fired in Prescot yesterday, which led to arrests being made in St Helens.
Officers enacted a Section 60 Order in Prescot on Tuesday evening, following reports that shots were fired on two residential streets.
Police were contacted at 1.50pm today, Tuesday, following reports that shots had been fired on Shaw Lane, in Prescot, and damage had been caused to two properties.
Shortly before this incident, at around 1.25pm, shots had been also fired in the direction of a house on Paxton Road in Huyton.
At around 4.20pm, five men were arrested on Freckleton Road, West Park on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
The Section 60 Order ran from 8pm until 8am this morning, Wednesday, August 16, and extra officers have been in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.
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The Section 60 Order covered the area bounded in the map and included Seth Powell Way, Stockbridge Lane, Knowsley Lane, Liverpool Road, Huyton Lane, Carr Lane, Steely Way, Warrington Road, Dragon Lane, Greene’s Road, Pottery Lane, Wood Lane, Hall Lane, Huyton Hey Road, Lathom Road, Bluebell Lane and Liverpool Road.
The Order, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.
Inspector Simon Rowland said: “We’re introducing this Section 60 Order as an extra response and provide us with the powers needed to stop and search people in the area following the reported shootings earlier today.
“This Order is one of a number of measures we are taking to disrupt those who would use these weapons in our community.
“Extra officers will be in the area to search any individuals or groups causing such issues, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people.
“Such action isn’t about bothering anyone going about their daily business or preventing people from meeting with friends. It’s simply about taking action to reduce violence and make sure that everyone can feel safe where they live.
“Patrols have also been stepped up to reassure our residents so if you have any information on any offences in the area please speak with our officers.”
- People can pass any information by calling 101, via police's social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook with reference number 23000757468.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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