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Wolverhampton road closed off as shots fired in street leaving man with 'potentially life-changing' injuries

A large area of road was closed off in Wolverhampton last night with police cars at the scene after a man was injured in a shooting incident.

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Officers from West Midlands Police were called to the scene on Westbourne Road in Penn in Wolverhampton on Wednesday evening after reports of a firearms discharge.

They found a man in his 30s with injuries which the force described as potentially life-changing and who was taken to hospital.

The area around Birchfield Road, Sandringham Road and Westbourne Road was cordoned off following the incident, which happened around 6.30pm.

The incident took place on Wednesday night
The incident took place on Wednesday night

At least three police cars could be seen in and around the area during the evening, while, additionally, a police cordon was put in place at the entrance to Westbourne Road and at the bottom of Ryecroft Avenue across Birchwood Road, with at least three separate cordons in place on Birchwood Road and across Sandringham Road.

The area was closed off to traffic at around 6.30pm and remained closed throughout the evening, with a police presence visible all night.

The cordon on Westbourne Road had been lifted by the morning, but Birchwood Road and Sandringham Road were still closed off to traffic on what is a major thoroughfare.

There was still a police presence and a cordon in place the next morning
There was still a police presence and a cordon in place the next morning

Police officers were also seen checking wooded areas and front gardens along all surrounding roads in the area, using sticks to check for any weapons.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating after a gun was fired in a street in Wolverhampton.

"We were called to Westbourne Road just before 6.30pm yesterday (Wednesday), following reports of a firearms discharge.

"A man in his 30s was injured and is being treated at hospital with potential life-changing injuries.

The area around Birchwood Road and Westbourne Road was closed off to traffic throughout the night
The area around Birchwood Road and Westbourne Road was closed off to traffic throughout the night

"We are reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out enquiries to identify who was responsible.

"We’ll have a police presence in the area and we’d ask anyone who has any information, or dash cam footage, to contact us.

"You can get in touch via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101, quoting log 153 of 8 July.

Officers could be seen checking the area for any weapons
Officers could be seen checking the area for any weapons

"Information can also be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

"Tell them what you know, not who you are."

On social media, residents were left wondering what had happened on the streets near their homes, with the Penn Online Facebook page a place for discussion about what had happened.

Birchwood Road was closed throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning
Birchwood Road was closed throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning

Maureen Higginson wrote: " OMG, how bad is the accident? Hope all involved are ok."

Emily MacKenzie wrote: " The shops on Birchwood Road are still closed off with police tape as is Sandringham.

"The police officers on scene have just changed over so I’d avoid the area altogether if you can. 

"No idea what happened, but police have been there since 7.45."

Jackie Doggett said: "9.15am still taped off and blocked by police car, I walked down Sandringham and was able to walk into Birchwood Road."

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