Investigation continues after man shot in leg in Wallasey

Two men were arrested following the incident on Lucerne Road just before 11.20pm on Saturday (June 29).

Officers attended the scene and Crime Scene Investigators carried out forensic examinations at the scene.

Two men from Sheffield were later arrested by officers on suspicion of drugs and firearms offences following the incident.

A 33-year-old man from Sheffield has been arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

A 35-year-old man from Sheffield, who arrested near to the Wallasey tunnel, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said both suspects are still in custody and enquiries are ongoing. 

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Dalton said: "Inquiries are in the very early stages and we are working hard to establish the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the motive behind it.

"We believe that two men from the Sheffield area had met with a group of three or four men in Lucerne Road and shortly after meeting a firearm was discharged which resulted in a 33-year-old man from Sheffield being shot.

"It is understood that the victim made his way on to Wheatland Lane.

It is understood the victim made his way on to Wheatland Lane in Wallasey following shooting on nearby Lucerne Road on Saturday night (June 29) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

"Two people in car, who were driving along the road, saw the victim in the road and stopped to assist and call the emergency services.

"The man was then taken to hospital where he is being treated for the injury to his leg, which is not life threatening.

"I am appealing to anyone who may have seen, or heard, anything before or during the incident to come forward as information they have could be crucial to our investigation.

"At approximately 11.30pm a stolen Nissan Navara was found burnt out on Clayton Road close to Poulton Victoria Football Club, which is less than a mile away from where the incident occurred.

Site where the Nissan Navara was found burnt out on Clayton Road close to Poulton Victoria Football Club, less than a mile away from where the shooting took place on Lucerne Road in Wallasey on Saturday (June 29) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

"We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the car being left and set on fire, or who saw it in the area to contact us as the information they have could be vital to our investigation.

"I would urge anyone who was driving in the area at the time who may have dash cam footage to contact us.

“At this stage of our inquiries the motive for the attack and the identity of the victim is unknown.

"Merseyside Police will not tolerate the use of firearms on our streets and we are relentless in our "pursuit of those involved in gun crime on our streets to ensure they can be brought to justice.”

Local Policing Chief Inspector Chris Ruane, added: "We understand the impact a firearms discharge can have on a local community and want to reassure them that we have increased our patrols in the area and our local policing officers will be there to speak to anyone who may have worries, or concerns, and to provide support.

"Our officers are also carrying out house-to-house enquiries on behalf of our investigations team and will be supported by our Matrix team in disrupting criminal activity in the area linked to serious and organised crime through targeted policing operations.

"Through our work in our local communities we completely understand the impact on communities of an incident like this.

"Our officers live and work in Merseyside too, and we have seen first-hand the pain that guns have brought to victims and their families.

"That is why we are totally committed to doing everything within our power to stop these people from bringing fear and worry to our communities."

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, call 101 quoting reference 1088 of 29 June, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or @CrimestoppersUK.