Man charged after incident involving imitation firearm in Kirkby

We can confirm that a man has been charged following an incident involving an imitation firearm in Kirkby earlier this week.

At around 11pm on Tuesday 25 February, it was reported that a man was walking along Kelso Close when he shot a firearm into the air.

Emergency services attended the scene and a bullet casing was found on the road, which was identified as coming from a blank firearm.

James Davies, 42, of Alleyne Road, in Walton, has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm in a public place.

He appeared at Wirral Magistrates' Court yesterday, Thursday 27 February, and has been bailed to next appear at Liverpool Magistrates' court on Wednesday 2 April.

Detective Inspector Jimmy Rotheram said: “To the untrained eye, an imitation firearm 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 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.”