Police hunt gunman who entered kids nursery in Liverpool

Police in Liverpool launched a major hunt Wednesday after a man, said to be carrying a firearm, entered a children's nursery in the city.

Merseyside Police confirmed its officers responded after reports saying a man had entered Childs Play Nursery in inner city Wavertree.

The man, who approached another man in the nursery shortly after 8:00 a.m. local time, was described as holding what appeared to be a firearm. The offender then left with a second man on a motorbike.

Police said no one is reported to have been injured and there is no suggestion a firearm was discharged.

"Police are in attendance at the nursery to offer reassurance to pupils and parents and crime scene investigators are carrying out forensic examinations at the scene. House-to-house inquiries are being conducted in the area and high visibility patrols have been stepped up to reassure the public," said a spokesman for Merseyside Police.

Detective Chief Inspector John Webster said: "The investigation is in its very early stages and we are keeping an open mind as to why this has happened, but we believe it was targeted and that the men were looking for a man who was in the nursery at the time who is not a member of staff."

The detective also called for help from the local residents, saying "We look to the community to help us by providing information to bring those responsible to justice. We need to identify the people responsible and put them before the courts before they cause any further harm in our communities."

Webster added: "This is another reminder that criminals involved in gun crime have no regard for anyone else and I would urge the local community to come together to help us take a stand against the use of firearms and violence on our streets and report anything they saw or heard to us so we can take action."