A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in Liverpool after a member of the public thought they spotted him holding a gun. The police were alerted to the situation at Merthyr Grove, Childwall, shortly after 3pm following reports of a suspicious object in the teenager’s pocket.
The youngster was apprehended and arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate. He has been taken into police custody for questioning.
Merseyside Police have stated that there is no indication that the item was used to intimidate or harm anyone.
It is believed that the teen made his way from Inchcape Road and was detained by officers on Chelwood Avenue around 3.30pm.
There was a significant police presence in the area, with Merseyside Police officers conducting door-to-door enquiries, the ECHO reports.
Sniffer dogs were deployed to search the grass and trees on Bowring Park Road opposite the houses. They were also seen scouring people’s front gardens in the vicinity.
Officers were also spotted searching over the Greystone Foot Bridge over the M62 motorway.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “A 15-year-old male from Childwall was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate and taken into custody to be interviewed.
“Following a search of the male no weapon has been seized and officers are conducting a thorough forensic examination of the scene.
“Detectives are speaking to potential witnesses and exploring CCTV opportunities in the area.”
Detective Inspector Mike Fletcher added: “Merseyside Police thoroughly investigates all reports relating to firearms and other weapons, and is relentless in its pursuit of offenders. We are grateful to the members of the public who reported this incident, and we have been able to make a swift arrest as a result. Officers will remain in the area conducting an extensive search as we seek to get a full understanding of what happened.
“We have worked tirelessly over several years to reduce the number of firearms on our streets and will do everything within our power to prevent them being stored, carried and used here in Merseyside to make it a safer place to live and work. We utilise every resource at our disposal to ensure anyone responsible for such heinous crimes faces justice, and I hope the lengthy prison sentences handed out recently demonstrate that Merseyside Police and the justice system take the use of such weapons extremely seriously. Communities can and are taking a stand to make the streets safer, and information from the public has been a crucial part of our efforts to bring those prepared to carry and use firearms to justice.”
Anyone with information on this incident should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. Information can also be reported via their website.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here.
