Extra police powers after man shot and boy stabbed

A 19-year-old was shot in an attack in Huyton

Police have been granted additional powers in part of Merseyside following attacks in which a 19-year-old man was shot and a boy, 15, was stabbed.

The teenagers both remain in hospital in a serious but stable condition, with the section 60 powers covering an area of Knowsley, Merseyside Police said.

The older victim suffered back and leg injures in the shooting, which happened at about 20:50 GMT on Friday in Manley Road, Huyton.

Earlier that day, at about 15:45, emergency services were called to Woodfarm Hey in Stockbridge Village to reports the boy had been stabbed.

While police did not initially believe the incidents were linked, detectives are said to be keeping an open mind.

'Residents rightly shocked'

A force spokesperson said: "Additional officers are providing high visibility presence in both areas as our inquiries continue, including house-to-house, CCTV and forensics.

"As part of this work, Section 60 orders will be in place until 15:59 on Sunday."

Such orders give officers additional powers to stop and search people suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder.

For example, failure to remove a face covering when asked to do so by an officer can result in arrest.

Supt Karl Baldwin, of the Knowsley local policing team, said: "First and foremost, we understand the concern that both incidents will have caused last night and today.

"The residents of both Stockbridge Village and Huyton will be rightly shocked to hear about what has happened, and we'd urge those communities to come forward if they haven't already done so, with any information, CCTV or other footage.

"These are extremely serious incidents which have resulted in two young people sustaining serious injuries in what appear to have been targeted attacks.

"We are working hard to piece together the circumstances... and we are keeping an open mind as to the motives, while providing significant additional resources in these areas."