Firearms recovered in Kirkby and Bootle

Officers seized firearms, swords and other weapons after a search at a house in Kirkby and found a firearm hidden in undergrowth in Bootle on Tuesday (6 June).

Police attended the property on Jarrett Road at around 12.15pm to conduct a search and located a blank firing pistol, two swords and two knuckle dusters in a bin in the back garden.

The items have been taken for forensic examination.

In a separate incident later on Tuesday, just before 2.50pm, officers responded to reports of suspicious activity on Brasenose Road, Bootle and following a search of the area, located a firearm concealed in carrier bag in the undergrowth which have been recovered for forensic examination.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson from the Firearms Investigation Team said: “The discovery of weapons hidden in a bin and in undergrowth illustrate very clearly that while criminals may believe they can conceal their firearms in obscure places, our officers will leave no stone unturned as we aim to take all illegal weapons out of circulation.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate to members of the public the importance of checking around your property, your garden, around bushes and underneath garden items for weapons hidden in obscure places, as we know that criminals will conceal their weapons in the most unusual places.”

Det Chief Insp Wilson added: “Last month, Merseyside Police took part in a two-week national firearms surrender when 92 weapons were handed in, including 36 working firearms and more than 800 rounds of ammunition.

“But our work to take firearms out of the hands of criminals and prevent further firearms incidents goes on 365 days a year, and I want to appeal to anyone who has any information about where weapons are being stored and who is suing them to contact us and we will do the rest.

“Firearms bring a huge amount of fear and harm to the heart of our communities, and through stop searches, warrants, land searches and arrests, we will work relentlessly to reduce the risks they pose.”

If you have any information about firearms, please direct message @MerPolCC, call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, you can report via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/