Arrest made after overnight gunfire reported on Lemon Tree Walk
Armed police have detained a 37-year-old St Helens man on suspicion of firearms offences following reports that shots were discharged overnight on Lemon Tree Walk. Merseyside Police confirmed it received a call shortly after 9am on Saturday, 18 July, and moved swiftly to secure the area and make an arrest. No injuries have been recorded.
Officers introduced a police cordon while searches were carried out. Shell casings have been recovered and the suspect has been taken to a police station in Merseyside, where he remains in custody. Detectives are conducting CCTV reviews, forensic examinations and house-to-house enquiries as the investigation continues.
Detective Inspector Steven Byrom said: "Although armed officers made a swift arrest this morning after the incident I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened, 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 footage that may have captured the incident to get in touch. I would like to reassure anyone who lives in the area that our officers immediately respond to incidents such as these involving firearms and remain in the area carrying out witness enquiries. We are relentless in our pursuit of any offenders who carry dangerous weapons in our community and urge anyone who has any information to contact us so we can continue our investigation."
What we know so far
| Time/Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Overnight (early hours) | Gunshots reported in the Lemon Tree Walk area |
| Just after 9am | Incident reported to Merseyside Police |
| Later the same morning | Armed officers arrest a 37-year-old St Helens man |
| Current | Cordon in place; shell casings recovered; enquiries ongoing |
Residents reported a sustained police presence across the morning as specialist teams began scene work. The force has not disclosed further details about the suspected weapon at this stage. Officers say their immediate priorities are to secure evidence, identify any witnesses and determine the full sequence of events.
Why this matters locally
Any discharge of a firearm in a residential setting is a serious public safety concern, even where there are no injuries. The prompt response by armed officers and the imposition of a cordon are standard measures aimed at protecting the public, preserving potential evidence and deterring any further risk. House-to-house enquiries in the surrounding streets typically help establish the timeframe of an incident and identify vehicles or individuals who may have been in the area at the relevant time.
Doorbell and CCTV footage have become increasingly important in local policing, often providing crucial time-stamped imagery of movements before and after an event. Detectives are therefore urging residents of Lemon Tree Walk and neighbouring streets to review recordings from the late night and early morning period.
How to help the investigation
- Check any video doorbells or home CCTV for activity around Lemon Tree Walk overnight into Saturday morning.
- Report information directly to Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC on X or Facebook, online, or by calling 101 and quoting incident 266 of Saturday, 18 July.
- To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police stress that any detail—such as unfamiliar vehicles, the sound of shots, or people moving through the area around the time—could assist the inquiry. Officers remain on scene conducting witness interviews and collecting forensic material.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor updates and provide verified information as Merseyside Police release further details on the arrest and the progress of enquiries.
