A TEENAGER has been shot in Prescot this afternoon (Monday).

Police were called to Station Road to the report of the 17-year-old boy being shot near a housing estate.

He was taken to hospital after being shot in the abdomen.

Police say his injuries are "not initially believed to be life-threatening".

Emergency crews were called to the road at 4.50pm.

Officers are carrying out CCTV, witness and forensic enquiries at the scene and a cordon is in place.

St Helens Star:

A cordon on an alley between Chester Street and Station Road

Detective Inspector Leanne Hobin said: "These are the very early stages of our investigation, so it's vital that we gather information as soon as possible, to establish the exact circumstances and who was involved.

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"At this time of day, there will have been people in the area who could have easily been injured or worse, some of whom may have witnessed what happened.

"Pass on any information, including home or business CCTV or dashcam, and we will take action. Action in recent weeks and months has brought down the number of shootings on our streets, and key to this is information from those communities affected."

Contact police via @MerPolCC, by calling 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.