POLICE have issued a fresh appeal for information over the murder of 17-year-old James Meadows in Huyton last October.

Eight arrests have been made in connection with the investigation - including suspects from St Helens and Prescot - but no charges have been brought so far.

James, from Huyton, died after being shot in the head while he was a pillion passenger on a bike on Lyme Cross Road, Huyton on Sunday, October 8 last year. 

In January police executed five warrants at addresses in Prescot, St Helens and Huyton making four arrests including a 46-year-old Prescot woman on suspicion of assisting an offender.

During the same month, a 30-year-old St Helens man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

In April a 22-year-old man, from Liverpool, was arrested on suspicion of murder and released under investigation.

Previously a 29-year-old woman, from Knowsley, a 17-year-old from Huyton and a 23-year-old man from Knowsley were also questioned on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Warlow said: "Ten months have passed since James was shot and killed.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation to contact us.

"James’ family rightly want answers to what happened to him. We know that over time allegiances change and people move on and we would appeal to those people to get in touch and assist us with our enquiries.

"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."

Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious is asked to call detectives on 0800 230 0600, direct message @MerPolCC on Twitter or call 101 or the Crimestoppers line, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.