THE offices and home of a Southport businessman at the centre of a terror campaign have been raided by police.

The simultaneous raids, which took place early yesterday evening, targeted John Ball's businesses, EEC Security, on Hall Road; Crown Rentals, on Norwood Road; and his Birkdale home, on Selworthy Road, which was unoccupied at the time.

Staff at EEC Security’s Hall Road site, a call centre, described how they were sent home just after 5pm as up to 20 officers checked the premises and took away bags of unknown items.

Last night, Merseyside Police confirmed that two warrants were executed at the properties, in connection with the assault of a 19-year-old man in Broad Hey, Bootle, on Wednesday night.

It is believed they were issued to search for the keys to a £40,000 BMW X5.

The search warrants issued to Mr Ball also referred to a mobile phone and “'clothing with bloodstains”. Last night, Mr Ball claimed the home of his business associate Terry Riley, on Elm Avenue in Crosby, was also raided.

Mr Riley was not available for comment.

A spokesman for John Ball said: “There was a problem with a car which was rented to a third party.

“The car is now in a police compound.

“There were no arrests or criminal charges.”

Police stressed that the warrants were not connected to recent incidents in Sefton involving Mr Ball and Mr Riley.

Both men’s houses have previously been shot at, and businesses – including Shorrocks Hill nightclub, in Formby, and the Cabbage Inn, in Netherton – have been firebombed.

There have also been attacks on relatives, including shots fired at homes including that of Mr Riley’s father and Mr Ball’s partner, in a terror campaign that began at the start of the year.