Two shootings, a stabbing and an arson attack have left many people in one part of Liverpool worried for their community
A mobile police station in place at the corner of Kingsley Road in Toxteth where a recent shooting has increased fears around gang violence
“I think it is outrageous that people are running around this area with guns shooting each other. Someone is going to get killed.” These are the words of Ed Gommon, who has called the Kingsley Road area of Toxteth his home for the past 14 years. He has enjoyed making this community his own, but recently, like others in this area, he has been left feeling afraid.
Two shooting incidents in almost the exact same spot in a matter of months along with a stabbing, a mass brawl and a suspected arson attack nearby have all contributed to the feeling of unease for the locals who live in this part of Liverpool 8.
Just after midnight on Sunday October 5, the residents of Kingsley Road and the surrounding streets – including Millennium Road and Seaport Street – were woken by the terrifying sound of seven bullets being fired.
The gunshots came from a person in a car who was firing wildly as the vehicle chased a man who was on foot.
It was around 12.15am that one of these bullets crashed through the window of a family home on Kingsley Road, fortunately not hitting anyone inside.
The house appears to have been caught in the crossfire of what locals believe is the latest incident of gang violence in this area of Toxteth.
It was roughly four months ago that a shooting took place on almost exactly the same spot in Kingsley Road. On that occasion residents said they heard nine shots, with a vehicle damaged by bullets.
And its not just shootings that have been spreading fear here.
In March, a mass brawl at the junction of Granby Street and Eversley Street resulted in a man being stabbed in the chest. In July, a suspected arson attack saw a major fire started when petrol was deliberately poured onto a house in Carlingford Close and spread to a neighbouring property after being lit.
These incidents, plus the increasing prevalence of groups of young men hanging around on street corners at night has led to a feeling of fear and discomfort for local people in a place they are usually proud to call home.
“I have lived here for 14 years and this is the worst it has been,” says Ed Gommon. “These people obviously don’t care about this area at all or they wouldn’t be shooting randomly at people’s houses. They are not good people.”
Ed Gommon, Michelle Bennett and Abdi Ahmed are some of the concerned residents in this part of Toxteth
What makes this so difficult for the people of Toxteth is that this part of Liverpool has come so far. Everyone around here knows how badly the area was affected by the economic decline of the 1970s and 80s and the subsequent unemployment, poverty and social unrest that followed.
But today Toxteth is a very different place. There have been widescale improvements in housing and regeneration projects that have made this an attractive place to live for many different communities. But there is a fear this progress is being put at risk by mindless gang violence.
“I have been here for a long time now and Toxteth has changed a lot, in a good way, with areas improved and houses refurbished,” explains Ed. “Most of the area has been improved. It is much, much better than when I moved here – at that time they were still tinning up houses to stop people breaking in, they don’t have to do that anymore.
“But recently we have seen more groups of lads hanging around on bikes and corners. It definitely looks to me as though they are selling drugs relatively openly.
He adds: “When the first shooting happened, I met someone that morning and told them about these lads hanging around outside his place and said he didn’t want to be caught in any crossfire if things kicked off – then there was a shooting the very next day.”
Michelle Bennett has also seen the positive progress of Toxteth unfold, having lived in the area since she was a child. But right now she is worried.
“I have always felt safe living here and now it is kind of worrying if you go out at night,” she explains. “I have had cameras installed on my house now.”
She adds: “I have never felt bothered about walking down the street before around here. But now if I hear a noise I am looking at my cameras to see if someone is there. Everyone is really worried.”
Michelle had said cameras on her property installed after the mass fight and subsequent stabbing in March, which hit very close to home. “They were brawling right outside my house,” she says.
Speaking about those behind the recent spate of violence, Michelle adds: “They don’t seem to be going away. It seems like local gangs who are warring against each other. I see them at night in groups hanging around.
“I don’t see many police around. They were here at the weekend after the shooting but I haven’t seen them since. There is not enough police. So these lads feel they can do what they want. They are local but they clearly don’t care about the area, they don’t care about their families – they don’t care about anything.”
Michelle says she is now too worried to let her 15-year-old son out in the local area at night, adding: “He is just that age where he could get dragged into something.”
Ed is equally concerned about what he sees as a lukewarm response to the recent violence near his home. He adds: “I’ve had a look on social media and I haven’t seen much in terms of a reaction. In the old days someone would be organising a meeting of local people to discuss this, where are the community leaders?
“There has been a bit of an increased police presence since a Section 60 (dispersal order) came in after Sunday’s shooting and there is a mobile police station, but then they go away again.
He adds: “Is there anywhere else in Merseyside where there has been two shootings on the exact same spot in a matter of months? I very much doubt it. And what is the response? Have they just decided that this is a free-fire zone, that you can just do crime around here?”
For 22-year-old Abdi Ahmed, the reasons behind the violence being spread in his local area by people younger than him are clear – a lack of opportunities for something more positive.
Police on Kingsley Road in Toxteth at last weekend(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Growing up I have seen a lot of closures of youth clubs, libraries and sports facilities,” he says. “It just leads to young people who are disengaged and can maybe be manipulated.
“It is common for young kids to get involved with gangs when there are no opportunities – and what we are seeing now is 100% gang-related.”
He adds: “There are a lot of people in my family who are worried. My mum came to this area in the 80s, when there were a lot of things going on – but now she is worried about today’s problems in this area.”
Responding to the recent incidents and the concerns of the community, Liverpool Local Policing Superintendent Charlotte Irlam said: “We recognise the concern caused whenever a firearm is used in our community, but let me take this opportunity to reassure local residents that we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in serious organised crime.
“Firearm discharges are reducing in Merseyside. In 2012, we had 125 firearm discharges compared to 33 last year, which is a decrease of 74%. So far this year, we have recorded just 16. This represents significant progress and recognition of tireless work across multiple organisations, but we will continue to do all we can to further reduce incidents.
“Every gun fired can cause devastation, and those who bring them onto the streets are reckless in the extreme, giving no thought to the potentially tragic consequences.
“Organised criminals profit from the exploitation of vulnerable people, young and old, so help us remove them from your community. Prominent organised criminals from the Toxteth area have been dismantled in recent years, due to targeted operations, and working alongside other partners in the local area and wider law enforcement.
“We recognise that if we want to continue making a big difference to the reduction of serious criminality, we need to be part of a solution that includes young people and that we make positive changes to their attitudes from a young age.”
“We will never be complacent, and there is always work to be done, but we are confident that standing together we can continue building stronger communities across Toxteth and Merseyside.”
Kim Johnson is the MP for the constituency that includes Toxteth, she said: “This latest incident on Kingsley Road is deeply worrying, and my thoughts are with everyone affected. Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident – too many of our communities have experienced similar shocks in recent months. Crime has no place on our streets, and no one should ever feel unsafe where they live.
“The people of Toxteth are strong and resilient. When incidents like this happen, we come together to look out for one another and stand firm against violence and fear.
“I’ll be working closely with Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council, and local community groups to make sure all residents feel supported and that those responsible are held to account. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and on their street.”