‘Shots fired’ at children’s play park as youths seen fleeing and cops swarm scene

Police were called to a playing field after reports of ‘shots fired’ and shouting heard in the area.

13:00, 20 Nov 2025Updated 14:36, 20 Nov 2025

Police have swarmed a children’s play park after reports of ‘shots fired’ as cops search for five youths seen fleeing.

Merseyside Police rushed to a playing field on Hapsford Road, Litherland, shortly before 9.45pm on Wednesday, to reports of several loud bangs and shouting heard in the area.

The force have made an appeal for anyone who witnessed five youths heading towards the train station, some were on foot, and some on electric/push bikes, to come forward.

Officers are currently searching the fields and have checked CCTV footage in the area for evidence of a firearm being used. House-to-house inquiries on Palmerston Drive have also been carried out, reports the Mirror.

A cordon is in place(Image: Liverpool Echo)

A huge police cordon has been put in place surrounding Hapsford Road play area and a part of the field.

Police vans and matrix vans are at the scene with officers guarding the cordon.

Parents on to school run have told of how they have had to “dodge” the cordon and make “detours” this morning as they took their children to school.

Hapsford Road is surrounded by a residential area and there are a number of schools nearby.

CCTV is being checked by police(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Detective Edward Barr said: “I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, saw the group of youths shortly after, or has any information which could help us with our inquiries to come forward. I would also like to appeal to anyone who lives in the area, who has doorbell camera footage that may have captured the incident to get in touch.

“I would like to reassure residents that our officers immediately respond to incidents such as these and is actively working to make Merseyside a safer place to live and work.

“We are relentless in our pursuit of such offenders who may be carrying dangerous weapons in our community and urge anyone who has any information to contact us so we can find those responsible.”

Mersyside Police added: “An investigation is underway after reports that shots were fired on a playing field in Litherland last night, Wednesday 19 November.

“Officers were called to a playing field on Hapsford Road just before 9.45pm to reports of several loud bangs heard and shouting in the area.

“It was also reported that five youths were seen heading towards the train station, some were on foot, and some were on electric/push bikes.

“Officers are currently searching the fields and have checked CCTV footage in the area for any evidence of a firearm being used. House-to-house inquiries have also been carried out and a police scene is in place whilst we continue to investigate what has taken place.

“If you have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage or information about this incident, please contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.

“You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call with reference 25000949505.

“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999.”

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