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Shocked residents today told how they heard “five bangs” in a shooting on the doorstep of Liverpool Prison.

Armed police descended on Hornby Close, opposite Walton jail, at 9.15am after reports of a targeted firearms incident - the 11th so far in June.

During a search of the scene a 28-year-old man, was arrested nearby , handcuffed and put into the back of a police van.

He will be quizzed by detectives on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

The arrested man was said to be hiding in nearby Rice Lane Farm.

He will be questioned over the shooting, believed to be a warning message, rather than a genuine attempt to kill.

A four-strong gang was seen fleeing the scene, climbing in a black Audi which sped away along Hornby Road.

A silver or grey Renault Megane was hit in the attack and remained parked up at the scene this morning.

Sources told the ECHO the shots fired were linked to an unpaid debt.

And early indications suggest the attack is not connected to HMP Liverpool.

One resident, who lives nearby, said: “I heard four or five shots but I thought it was a scrambler bike as they’re bombing down Hornby Close all the time.

“A neighbour knocked at my door and told me to keep my doors shut.”

Another resident added: I saw my husband pulling away in his car but the next thing was he was back in the house.

“Police wouldn’t let anyone go in or out.”

Stunned locals said they had no recollection of any previous incidents in the close - describing the small street as “very quiet”.

A person at the house outside which the damaged Renault was parked declined to comment.

Several bullet casings were found by officers and the front windowscreen was clearly damaged.

The National Police Air Service scrambled a helicopter and friends and relatives were told all prison visits were temporarily suspended.

It is now thought to be business as usual at the prison.

Chief Inspector Mark Morgan, of Merseyside Police, said: “An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing but at this stage it is believed to have been targeted.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around Hornby Road, close to HMP Liverpool, shortly before or after the incident to contact us.”

Contact the gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.