A COMMUNITY which has seen a spate of gun crime will not be beaten by the criminals, according to one of the town’s vicars.

Rev Kim Goh from Maghull Methodist Church said people of the town were concerned about the number of shootings in the normally quiet area, but would remain a close community.

He said: “People are concerned but we don’t want to let criminals intimidate us.”

He added: “The Christian community is very close in Maghull and the churches all work together.

“People look after each other and they’ll continue to do so.”

He said prayers would be said at the church for peace.

There have been seven shootings in just over a year in Maghull, with four of those last week.

Shots were fired at a house on Fernbank on Sunday night.

The same house was targeted last Thursday night along with a house on Moorland Road.

And in the early hours of Monday, March 11, a house on Parkbourn Square was shot at.

Police believe the incidents are down to a feud between two criminal groups.

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterton has called for anyone with information on the shootings to come forward.

He said: “These people are spraying bullets with scant regard for public safety. It needs to stop.

“I’ve heard from people who are saying they are too scared to let their children play out.

“I am bringing up two children here in Maghull. This is a lovely town.

“It is a great place to live and to bring up children.

“We cannot let our community end up like this. The community needs to stand up and say enough is enough.”

Local Cllr Patrick McKinley said: “It has come as a shock because it’s the first time anything on this scale has happened in the town.

“It is normally a very quiet area and it is unusual for these things to happen so obviously people are feeling concerned.”

But he said he did not think there were concerns about the crime rate generally.

He said: “I’m not aware of a gang culture in Maghull and I don’t think people are concerned about the area turning into some kind of Dodge City.”

Anyone with information on the shootings should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.