Two young men “critical” after a targeted attack near a Merseyside park
20:37, 24 May 2026Updated 20:53, 24 May 2026
Forensic officers focusing their enquiries on the M57 flyover bridge on Pottery Lane(Image: Liverpool Echo)
People in a quiet area of Prescot said they were “shocked” to see Merseyside Police descend on their local park in the middle of a sunny Sunday afternoon. Two young men were tonight in hospital after a double shooting near Stadt Moers Park, off Pottery Lane, in Prescot, on Sunday, May 5.
Officers were called to the scene just before 3pm. The victims, in their 20s, were taken to hospital where their injuries were being assessed in the immediate aftermath of the attack. This evening Merseyside Police confirmed both men were “critical”.
When the ECHO arrived at Pottery Lane at around 4.30pm Merseyside Police had cordoned off the M57 flyover bridge and a large police presence was visible in the area. Two air ambulances were seen taking off from near the park.
People emerged from nearby houses shocked to find a double shooting had taken place on their doorstep. One woman, who lives opposite the cordon on Pottery Lane, said: “My grandchildren were in their bedroom and shouted me saying ‘grandma come and see this’. We saw the helicopter land then all the police tape went up.
“I didn’t know what happened. It’s shocking. It’s the middle of the day on a sunny bank holiday weekend. There’s kids and dog walkers always in that park and people are running around with guns.”
She added: “Where do they even get guns from? It’s so quiet and peaceful around here. There’s just three houses on our street. I hope the young boys are ok.”
Police on Pottery Lane in Prescot at the entrance to Stadt Moers Park(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Her neighbour said: “We all just came out when the helicopter was here, that’s all we heard.”
Forensic officers were focusing their enquiries on what appeared to be clothing in the road on the flyover bridge.
The main entrance to Stadt Moers Park on Pottery Lane was cordoned off with a number of areas inside the park’s entrance also taped off by police. A knife was also spotted on the floor at the entrance to the park although it is unclear as to whether it was connected to the shooting. Inside the park was a further cordon near to the entrance off Coronation Drive.
Police in Stadt Moers Park(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Officers later extended the cordon on Pottery Lane and remained in the area into the evening as they carried out their investigations into the double shooting.
Speaking this afternoon Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “Although these are the early hours of our investigation, it is absolutely vital that we gather all available evidence as soon as possible. If you saw, heard or may have captured anything on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell devices, please come forward at the earliest opportunity. Our initial assessment is this was a targeted attack on the two victims, for reasons we will establish as the investigation progresses.
“To fire a weapon in our communities at any time is of course a concern but to do so in a residential area on a Sunday afternoon is beyond comprehension. I want to make it clear to anyone involved that our determination to find those responsible will be absolute, and we will target anyone who has carried out this shooting or assisted those responsible in any way.
A knife within the police scene on Stadt Moers Park in Prescot(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Gun crime in Merseyside has become increasingly rare in recent years and it is in no small part down to the information, engagement and partnership work in those areas which have been affected. This same community strength will help us in the coming days. If you know anything, speak to us directly or anonymously and we will take positive action to find and remove from the community any firearms and those people reckless enough to use them.”
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