Merseyside Police update following Showcase Cinema lockdown

Merseyside Police have released the following statement following this evening’s incident around the Showcase Cinema on the East Lancs in Liverpool.

“We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January.

At around 8.50pm officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm.

About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged.

Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing.

At this stage no-one has been injured.

Anyone with information which could help the police should call 999. The incident is fast moving and we will provide a further update as soon as possible.”

Police alerted the public at around 9.10pm to avoid the area around the Showcase Cinema and there have been reports of a man aiming a gun at a member of staff from the Cinema. A cordon has also been in place at Lower House Lane, not far from the Showcase.

Members of the public shared videos from the scene, with one reporting of up to twenty police vehicles and a helicopter in attendance.

Visit the Merseyside Police website here.

Get the latest for Liverpool City Region HERE.