EXTENSIVE cordons are in place around the scene where a 17-year-old boy was found with a gun shot wound.

Police were called to Station Road, Prescot to a report the teenager had been shot near a housing estate at 4.50pm last night, Monday, January 20.

He was taken to hospital with a wound to the abdomen.

Police said this morning he was in a "stable condition".

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Police have put cordons in place near the Next store on Cables Retail park in Prescot

Cordons are in place over a wide area, with police sealing off an area on Station Road, the alley between Station Road and Chester Street and on Cables Retail Park close to the Next store.

A major investigation is underway and last night forensics teams could be seen examining the street where the victim was found injured.

In a statement issued last night, 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.

"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.

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The teenager was found on Station Road. Teams of forensics worked at the scene last night

"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."

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A pathway at the rear of Cables Retail Park is cordoned off

Contact police via @MerPolCC, by calling 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.