Toddler shot with airgun pellet

An 18-month-old girl was shot with a pellet fired from an airgun while out walking with her mother.

The girl was shot in the leg while walking in a field off Derbyshire Hill Road and Fleet Lane in St Helens.

Merseyside Police said the injury to the girl, which happened at about 1100 BST on Sunday, could have been much more serious.

Detectives said an intensive investigation was under way to find the culprit, and appealed for witnesses.

The girl was out with her mother walking the family's dog when the incident happened on the recreation ground.

Police say the toddler had followed the dog into some bushes before emerging "visibly upset" with the injury.

Thankfully the child received only a minor injury, however this could have been more serious Det Insp Chris Sephton

Det Insp Chris Sephton said: "The girl received an injury to her leg and was taken to hospital where it was confirmed the wound was consistent with a pellet."

The toddler was sent home for the night but was returning to hospital on Monday to have the pellet removed from her leg.

"Thankfully the child received only a minor injury, however this could have been more serious," Mr Sephton added.

"We've launched an intensive investigation and are treating this matter very seriously."

The field is a well-known shortcut for people who live in the houses which surround it, and police are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 1030 BST and 1200 BST to come forward.

Officers have conducted house to house inquiries in the area and will be conducting more throughout the day, as well as launching high visibility patrols.