7 August 2012 Last updated at 04:55 ET

Bootle shootings: Police find shotgun on railway line

A 15-year-old boy is in intensive care after the shooting on Saturday night

A shotgun has been found by police investigating the shooting of four teenagers on Merseyside.

Officers found the gun when they searched a disused railway line in Bootle on Monday, following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Police were told the area was being used as a weapons stash for gangs.

Three 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old boy were shot at from a railway line above Akenside Street in Bootle on Saturday night.

All were treated for shotgun injuries and the 15-year-old remains in intensive care, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Det Ch Supt Paul Richardson, from Merseyside Police, said: "Following information from a member of the public an extensive search is being undertaken on a disused railway line where a shotgun was recovered yesterday evening.

"This find shows how important information from our communities can be and I am grateful for the support we have received since the events of Saturday evening.

"Together we can make an impact on the small number of people who are putting our communities at risk."

Det Chf Supt Richardson has said the incident could have been sparked by the theft of a scrambler or trials bike.