BIRKENHEAD MP FRANK Field has requested an urgent meeting with the chief constable to discuss community safety issues following a shooting in his constituency.

It comes less than a week after a dad was shot as he held his daughter in his arms in Beechwood.

The 35-year-old victim was leaving an address on Edgemoor Close with his seven-year-old daughter when he was shot, causing serious injury to his leg. His daughter was unhurt but left extremely shaken.

Detectives are treating this incident as a "targeted" attack but are keeping an open mind as to the motive as their investigation continues.

In his letter to Merseyside's chief constable Andy Cooke requesting a meeting, Mr Field wrote: "Whilst I am grateful for the intensity of the police response to last week's shooting, that incident was far from isolated.

"An arson attack and another shooting are also reported to have taken place on the estate in recent weeks.

"I am anxious that residents on the estate are now at risk of being caught up in a larger web of criminal activity."

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said arrangements were being made for the meeting to take place.

Mr Field told the Globe: "The police are doing their utmost to keep Beechwood residents safe, after what has been a torrid few weeks on the estate.

"However, I am concerned that residents remain at risk of being caught up in a larger web of criminal activity that could engulf the area.

"That's why I'm seeking an urgent meeting with our senior police officers, to go through any additional measures that can be put in place to protect residents".

As part of their investigation, detectives are keen to trace the movements of a Skoda that was seen in the area close to Edgemoor Close around the time of the shooting and found burnt out on Lingham Lane in Moreton at around 9.45pm the same evening.

The vehicle was stolen in a burglary at Newton Cross Lane in West Kirby on Saturday, January 19.

Detective Inspector Paul Gillies said earlier today: “I am keen to speak to anyone who saw the car being driven in the Prenton area, and specifically close to Edgemoor Close, last Thursday night, prior to the shooting, or anyone who saw the car being driven between Prenton and Moreton in the two-and-a-half hours before it was burnt out.

"I am particularly appealing to taxi drivers or anyone with dash-cam footage in the area who may have captured something.

"I am also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the car, or know where it was stored, between the burglary and the night of the shooting.

"Any tiny piece of information may be vital in helping find the person or people responsible for this shocking incident."

Anyone with any information about this incident can contact @MerPolCC or call 101 quoting reference 847 of 7thFebruary.

You can also contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.