Teenagers as young as 14 are being warned they face being searched by police using temporary powers as detectives probe a shooting spree that rocked a Merseyside estate.
Police were called to the Beechwood housing estate in Prenton just after 11.10pm on Good Friday following reports that gunblasts had been heard.
Patrols arrived to find two houses in the Beechwood Drive area that had been hit by gunfire - and officers later discovered a car that had also been shot parked three miles away.
Neighbours on the Beechwood estate claimed they heard what sounded like "thunder" or "fireworks".
Officers arrested two men, aged 32 and 34 and both from the Birkenhead area, on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
And today Merseyside Police confirmed that they will be extending stop and searches carried out at the weekend until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Known as a Section 60 order, a spokeswoman said it "has been authorised for the Birkenhead area following recent incidents, including shots fired in Prenton on Friday, April 10".
The third one in a row, it gives officers enhanced stop and search powers in a specified geographic location for a set period of time. Officers are authorised to search any males or females aged between 14-50 years in the location shown on the map.
The area covered is bounded by Fender Way, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum Way, Townfield Lane, Bidston road, Upton road, Eleanor Road, Bidston Village road onto Fender Way.
As well as roads it covers land within the boundaries.
The police spokeswoman added: "The order will begin at 5pm today and will conclude at 4am tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14."
Anyone with information on crime in the area is urged to come forward and speak to police, either directly or via @MerPolCC, quoting ref. 20000212346 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
