Bootle shooting: men 18–40 face stop-search in south Sefton 2026

Key Points

• Men aged between 18 and 40 years could be stopped and searched in certain areas of Merseyside after a shooting took place at a Bootle newsagents.
• The Section 60 Order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 has been issued in South Sefton.
• The Merseyside Police was called to Stanley Road, at the junction of Balliol Road, around 4:59 pm on Monday, September 7, 2026.
• There have been reports that a man riding an e-bike had discharged some shots from a handgun, with screams being heard as people fled the area.
• A bullet hole was found in the window of Stanley Wines newsagents and off-licence store; a police cordon had been set up in the area.
• The Detective Chief Inspector Chris Saidi-Bidokhti appealed for witnesses, CCTV, Ring doorbell and dashcam footage to help investigate the matter.
• Any information could be provided via the Merseyside Police social media desk on X @MerPolCC, Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’, the force website or through call number 745 of September 7 or the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bootle (Liverpool standard) September 08, 2026 — Stanley Wines newsagents and off-licence, Stanley Road, September 7, 2026. Merseyside Police were called to Stanley Road, at the junction with Balliol Road, shortly before 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, following reports that a man riding an e-bike had fired shots from a handgun. A large police cordon was put in place around Stanley Road, with access restricted at its junctions with Merton Road and Balliol Road. There was a bullet hole in the window of the shop, with people reporting they heard two gunshots the previous evening in the Bootle street.

Witnesses described terrified bystanders fleeing onto the busy Bootle street “screaming” after the gunman opened fire in broad daylight. As reported by journalists covering the incident for the Liverpool Echo, a witness told the outlet they heard “two loud bangs” at the scene in Bootle that evening, with around four police cars and a number of officers present. Mobile police units were later parked outside Stanley Wines newsagents and off-licence as Stanley Road was fully reopened to traffic.

Why are men aged 18 to 40 being targeted for stop-search in south Sefton?

A Section 60 Order (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) has been introduced in south Sefton following the firearms discharge in Bootle. Under a Section 60 authorisation, police officers are empowered to stop and search individuals within a defined area and time period without needing reasonable suspicion, typically in response to a serious incident involving violence or weapons. The measure specifically affects men aged between 18 and 40 in parts of Merseyside, as authorities seek to prevent further violence and locate those responsible for the shooting.

The introduction of Section 60/60aa powers follows the incident at the newsagents and forms part of an escalating investigative and preventative response by Merseyside Police. Officers are using the powers to deter the carrying of weapons and to gather intelligence that could assist in identifying and apprehending suspects.

How are detectives investigating the Bootle newsagents shooting?

In a statement last night, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Saidi-Bidokhti said: “We are in the very early stages of an investigation and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened or has any information which could help us with our enquiries to come forward.” He added: “I would also like to appeal to anyone who lives in the area, who has CCTV footage or Ring doorbell, that may have captured the incident to get in touch.”

DCI Saidi-Bidokhti further stated: “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.” The emphasis on community-sourced evidence reflects the challenges of investigating a fast-moving incident involving an e-bike and a handgun in a busy urban setting.

Where can witnesses submit information about the Bootle shooting?

If you have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage or information about this incident, you can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook “Merseyside Police Contact Centre”. You can also report information via the force’s website or call with log number 745 of 7 September.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. In an emergency, always call 999. These multiple reporting routes are intended to maximise the volume and quality of information reaching investigators in the critical early phase of the case.

Background to the development of stop-search powers after Bootle shooting

Section 60 powers are a statutory tool available to chief officers in England and Wales when they reasonably believe that incidents involving serious violence may take place, or that persons are carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons in a locality. The order introduced in south Sefton follows the specific circumstances of the Bootle shooting, where a handgun was discharged in a public place and a projectile struck a retail premises.

Historically, similar authorisations have been deployed in Merseyside following firearms incidents and knife-crime spikes, often in conjunction with targeted patrols and intelligence-led operations. The current deployment focuses on men aged 18 to 40, a demographic frequently associated in police risk assessments with involvement in street-level violence and weapon carrying, though the measure applies regardless of individual suspicion within the designated area and timeframe.

Prediction: how could this development affect residents and businesses in Bootle?

The introduction of Section 60 stop-search powers in south Sefton is likely to increase visible police activity and the frequency of stops for men aged 18 to 40 in the affected area, potentially affecting daily routines, commuting patterns and perceptions of safety among residents. For local businesses on Stanley Road and surrounding streets, the heightened police presence may offer reassurance in the short term, but repeated stop-search operations can also create tension if not communicated clearly and conducted proportionately.

If the powers help to prevent further shootings or recover weapons, they could contribute to a reduction in violent incidents and strengthen community confidence in the police response. Conversely, if stops are perceived as overly broad or poorly explained, they risk damaging trust between police and local communities, particularly among young men who may feel disproportionately targeted. The ultimate impact will depend on how effectively Merseyside Police balance enforcement with engagement, and whether the information gathered through Section 60 leads to swift arrests and charges in connection with the Bootle newsagents shooting.