Shots fired at two houses on Wirral

Police have launched an investigation t after two neighbouring houses in Wallasey were damaged after being shot at during the weekend.

The owner of one of the properties contacted the force at 9.50am today (Monday 18 September 2017) after being alerted that damage had been caused to his living room window while he was away.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang in the street at around 11pm on Sunday night.

Following his call to police this morning officers attended Clarence Road and found damage to a ground floor window consistent with a shotgun discharge. Further enquiries revealed damage to the front of a neighbouring property as well.

No one living in either property has been injured.

Crime Scene Investigators are now carrying out forensic examinations at the scene and house-to-house enquiries are underway. High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Part of Clarence Road is closed and motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area while the police cordon remains in place.

Detective Inspector Mike Dalton said: "An investigation into the full circumstances is ongoing but at this stage we believe this is a targeted attack against one of the two properties.

"I want to make it clear that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will do everything we can to find the people using guns on our streets and bring them to justice.

“Tackling the issue of gun crime is a top priority for the whole of the force and there is extensive work going on daily, targeting those people we suspect of bringing guns onto the streets. But it is vital that anyone with information comes forward to help these enquiries.

"We are so fortunate that this didn't result in anyone being hurt, or even worse, and that's more through luck than judgement.

“My message to the public is don't let these people ruin our communities, do the right thing - if you have information that could help us put those responsible before the courts contact us on our gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or on the independent and anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

"Put yourselves and your community first and don't let these people think they can get away with using firearms on our streets."