Reports 'three people shot at in Liverpool' just hours after major police operation swamped another part of the city - but cops say there is no evidence of the attack taking place

POLICE have found "no evidence" of a gunman firing at three people after reports a bike-riding attacker blasted shots in the street.

Armed Police were sent to Thames Street in Toxteth just before 3.55pm on Friday, December 12 2025, after reports a man on a bike shot at three people.

A police cordon, from Kinglsey Road naer its junction with Beaconsfield Street and Thames Street was put in place while officers carried out CCTV, forensic and house-to-house enquiries.

But after extensive enquiries Detective Chief Inspector Andy McCourt said: "We take reports of this nature very seriously and our enquiries remain ongoing but at this stage no evidence of a discharge has been found.

"Despite extensive searches by specialist search teams and a forensic examination of the scene, we have not found any ballistic material or evidence of damage which would be consistent with a firearm discharge, furthermore nobody has come forward or presented themselves at hospital with gunshot injuries.

"However, we will continue with our investigation to establish the facts and identify those people involved, this incident has clearly caused upset and concern for the local community.

Inspector Matthew Farmer had said in the immeadiate aftermath: “We are in the very early stages of an investigation into this incident and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened on Thames Street, saw the man on a pedal bike shortly after, or has any information which could help us with our ongoing enquiries to come forward.

“I would also like to appeal to anyone who lives in the area, who has CCTV footage that may have captured the incident to get in touch.

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

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

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 the website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call with log number 672 of Friday 12 December.

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.

It is the latest in a series of non fatal shootings after two in the Huyton area which was swamped by police on Thursday.

A total of 49 people have now been arrested as a result of the large-scale policing operation, codenamed Operation Vanguard, carried out in Stockbridge Village and Huyton on Thursday (11 December).

More than 250 police officers conducted warrants, roadside checks, land and underwater searches and more in a sustained and relentless offensive against criminals operating in our local communities.

During Thursday, the following activity took place:

49 arrests

16 warrants executed

Four land searches completed – including the recovery of buried gun boxes

Large amount of class A and B drugs seized

E-bikes seized

Cash seized

Eight suspected drink/drug drivers arrested

Six vehicles seized

A number of Traffic Offence Reports issued

The 49 people detained were arrested on suspicion of offences including:

Sexual assault

Possession of indecent images

Domestic assault

Stalking and controlling/coercive behaviour

Supply of Class A and B drugs

Drug driving

Drink driving

Theft

Criminal damage

Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “Yesterday saw one of the largest days of action we have seen in Merseyside, and I know the sheer volume of activity would have sent a very clear message.

“Criminals will have been left in no doubt that Merseyside Police will maximise all of the resources and tools at our disposal to root them out and bring them to justice.

“And I hope our communities will have seen that we are on their side and share their total contempt for people who bring fear and harm to their streets.

“As a result, we have now arrested 49 people suspected of serious offences like sexual assault, possession of indecent images and domestic abuse. Our roadside operation also stopped people suspected of taking their safety and that of others into their own hands by getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.

“All of these offences impact people of all ages, as well as their families and loved ones, and we are determined to protect them.

“As well as enforcement activity, we were backed by our partners throughout the day with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, British Transport Police, North West Police Underwater Search & Marine Unit, Knowsley Council and others.

“We are all unified in our efforts to keep the people of Merseyside safe, to safeguard vulnerable people and put offenders before the courts.”

Chief Constable Carden added: “This day was clearly a huge, focused and targeted operation - but it was not a one off.

“There will be more days like this and much of the activity we concentrated on Huyton and Stockbridge Village on Thursday happens 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year right across Merseyside.

“Merseyside Police will disrupt criminals in their homes, as they walk the streets and drive on our roads. Operation vanguard should have been a crystal clear reminder that they are simply not welcome here.

“My ask of the public is that you continue to support our efforts by telling us where offences are taking place - it might be a neighbour experiencing domestic abuse, violence witnessed on your street, suspicious behaviour that could be linked to burglary, or someone you have heard is storing drugs or weapons. Whatever it might be, tell us what you know and we will do the rest.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council commented: “Operation Vanguard was a clear and visible sign of Knowsley’s zero tolerance policy when it comes to crime and I know from speaking to many residents that this was something they greatly welcomed.

“I want to thank Merseyside Police and all the partners who supported this operation. Your efforts over the last 24 hours have not only helped to take drugs off the street and bring offenders into custody but have also made hundreds of thousands of Knowsley residents feel safer and secure in their own homes.”

If you have any information which could help us to prevent criminality in your area, let us know so that we can take action and ensure our communities can enjoy their local areas safely.             

If you have any information please call 101 or contact us on social media @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

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.