Man charged after firearm seized in St Helens

A man has been charged and a suspected firearm seized following an incident in St Helens yesterday, Thursday 4 January.

At around 12.30pm, it was reported a group of males were riding a suspected stolen scrambler bike on a field between Vista Road and Lodge Lane.

Plain clothed officers sighted the males on Billington Avenue and they were found to be in possession of a firearm.

A suspected firearm has been seized and forensically recovered to establish if it is a viable weapon.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

Joe Cook, 23, of Queens Drive, Newton-le-Willows has been charged with possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of ammunition without a certificate, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of a firearm when prohibited for life and remanded in custody to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court today (Friday 5 January).

A 36-year-old man from Newton-le-Willows, who was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate, has been bailed pending further enquires.

Detective Chief Inspector Ally Woods said: “Guns have no place on the streets of Merseyside, and we will do everything in our powers to seize them and put the people who supply or carry them behind bars where they rightfully belong.

“I am pleased that this weapon is now in our hands so it can’t be used to cause fear or harm in our communities, and I would continue to ask the public to be our eyes and ears and tell us who is carrying these weapons and where are they being stored or hidden.”

Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or call 101. Information can also be given anonymously to CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.