Merseyside Police can confirm an investigation is underway Friday, 9th February, following reports of a firearms discharge in Bootle.

Officers were called to Pope Street at 8.45pm following reports that a male in his teens had suffered an injury which was consistent with a firearm being discharged.

Officers were also called to another location in Norton Street following the discovery of blood at the scene.

The 19-year-old male has been taken to hospital where his injuries have been described as non-life-threatening.

A silver Mercedes car was seen in the area around the time of the incident.

An investigation is currently underway.

House-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are ongoing in the local area.

Detective Inspector Simon Vaughan said: “An investigation into the full circumstances surrounding this incident is underway. I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in and around Pope Street or Norton Street shortly before or after the incident to contact us, as any information they have could be vital to our investigation. Likewise if you saw a silver Mercedes car in the area at that time, or have any home CCTV or dashcam footage, let us know. I can assure you that all information will be acted upon.

"To use a firearm in a residential street is clearly reckless and we are determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

"We need communities to stand together to get these cowardly individuals off our streets and take firearms out of circulation. We have acted and will continue to act on all information about such incidents, but we need you to help us build up the evidence against these offenders who are prepared to put our communities at risk so that we can make the streets safer for you and your families."

Anyone with information can contact the social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101 quoting reference number 0946, or contact officers on the Matrix Serious and Organised Crime gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be provided via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-in...rmation-online.