Hunt for man who ‘pulled out gun’ in mosque ambush

Police are on the hunt for a man who allegedly ran towards towards two other men outside a mosque in Merseyside and pulled out a gun.

The suspect and a second man had cycled up to Hatherley Street, near the Al Rahma mosque in Toxteth at around 2pm yesterday as people were leaving the building, according to reports.

The suspect got off his bike and ran at two men who subsequently ran inside the mosque.

When he got to the front of the mosque it is believed he pulled out a gun, before walking away.

The suspect then got back on his bike, and the two men rode off towards Grafton Street.

The suspected firearm was not discharged and no-one was injured during the incident, said Merseyside Police, who are investigating the incident.

Police officers attended the scene, but both the men on the bikes and the two men who were targeted, had left the area.

The mosque was sealed off by a police cordon.

The force said patrols have been increased in the area while house-to-house inquiries are being carried out.

CCTV footage is being examined in a bid to identify those involved.

Detective Superintendent Steve Reardon said: ‘I want to take this opportunity to appeal to people with information to come forward so we can find the men involved in this incident and take them off the streets.

‘This took place just as afternoon prayers were finishing and it will have been really worrying for those who saw what happened.

‘There is no place for firearms on our streets and we will do everything within our power to take firearms, and those who use them to cause fear in our communities, off the streets.

‘The investigation is in its early stages and we are working hard to build up a picture to identify the offenders and the intended targets so we can establish the circumstances leading up to today’s incident.

‘We also understand that the community will be concerned that this incident happened outside a mosque and we are determined to establish the full circumstances of what happened.’

He said police would be out in the community in the comings days working alongside community organisations, including faith leaders, and providing reassurance.

He added: ‘The use of firearms in our community will not be tolerated. Information from the public is vital if we are to breakdown the organised crime groups who bring misery to our streets and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.

‘If you live in the area, or were passing through at about 2pm today you may have seen something that could be vital for us and I would urge you to get in touch.

‘Similarly, if you were in the area and have dashcam, CCTV or ring doorbell footage please check it and let us know if you see anything, as this could be vital in helping us to put those people involved before the courts.’

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