THE heartbroken family of teenager James Meadows who died after being shot in Huyton have released a tribute to him on the first anniversary of his death - and have urged people with information to come forward.

James, 17, was fatally shot on Lyme Cross Road, Huyton on October 8, 2017 and he died in the early hours of the following day.

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.

His family said: "Although a year has passed, the hurt and pain still remains and is still as raw as the day James was killed; we are still as devastated and heartbroken as the day he was cruelly taken from us.

"There is a huge void in all our lives that can never be filled. We urge anyone who may be able to provide information to come forward and contact Crimestoppers or the investigation team directly. Any piece of information, however small, may assist the investigation.

"Although nothing will ever bring James back to us, we, as a family, seek the comfort that justice will bring."

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Warlow said: "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."

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.

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