Man arrested after disturbance in Walton
Merseyside Police officers were called to City Road on Friday afternoon
A man has been arrested following a report of a disturbance where a firearm was seen in Walton
Merseyside Police officers were called just after 2.50pm on Friday 17 July to reports of three men arguing in City Road with one man seen holding a gun.
Officers were deployed and detained a man, and an imitation firearm has been recovered.
No injuries have been reported.
A search of the area is ongoing to locate the other two men, and it's not thought there is any further threat to the public.
A 48-year-old man from the Walton area was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and affray. He is still in police custody awaiting questioning.
Chief Inspector Andy Foster said: “To the untrained eye, an imitation firearm and BB guns can cause fear and harm to people who wouldn’t know the difference between them or a more dangerous weapon if confronted with one.
“We rely on information given to us by the public and this makes a huge difference in identifying suspects, seizing weapons and removing suspects who would bring lethal weapons onto our streets.
“It is vital that members of our communities come forward with information so we can make our communities safer for the decent, law-abiding people who live in areas affected by gun crime.
“Where people are willing to support the police, we will ensure every possible avenue is progressed to them.
“And if you don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the police call the independent, anonymous, Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111, we need to know who is involved in gun crime and where those guns are being stored.”
Anyone with information about where guns are being stored, in their community can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. People can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.