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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Alan Weston

Neighbours 'shut their doors' after housing estate shooting

A massive police scene was set up after a shooting incident on a Skelmersdale estate.

Sniffer dogs and forensics officers were brought in after the incident in the Birch Green area of the town on Wednesday evening.

A man, in his 30s, was found with a leg injury and was taken to hospital. A cordon was put in place around a nearby skate park for police investigations, and on Thursday it was focused on a smaller area of the estate.

READ MORE : Shops shut after 'huge' cordon shuts Bold Street for hours

Neighbours gave their reaction to what happened. Many said the first they knew about the incident was when all the police cars turned up with their blue lights flashing.

One said: "It's a quiet area. I didn't hear anything and the first thing I knew was when all the police cars turned up."

Another said: "I saw all the blue lights when I was going to pick my daughter up. We've just shut the doors.

"I thought there must be something serious going on. There were a lot of police cars around. This was the first time I'd seen anything on this level, and I've lived here since 2009. It's quite a shock to see it like this."

Another resident said: "I didn't hear a thing but I saw the roads blocked off at around 6.30pm. You hear about it a lot but this is the first time I've seen so many police around here. My sister only just moved here last week so this is a bit worrying for her."

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses, CCTV and dashcam footage after a suspected firearms discharge in Skelmersdale. We were called to Birch Green Road, Skelmersdale at 6.11pm (Wednesday, November 9).

"A man, aged in his 30s, was found with a leg injury and has been taken to hospital to be treated for those injuries. The area around the skate park has been cordoned off whilst we investigate.

"As yet, no arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing. Although this is being treated as an isolated incident, we appreciate that it will be worrying for the local community but there will be an increased police presence in the area and anyone with concerns is welcome to speak to an officer.

"Anybody with information is asked to call 101, quoting the log number 1128 of 9th November 2022."

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