A gun has been found after it was hidden in a pair of trousers on a canal.
Merseyside police said a member of the public noticed something suspicious and called them after finding a working firearm on the Leeds Liverpool canal, near Boundary Street, in Vauxhall. The handgun was found hidden in a pair of trousers on Wednesday, June 8.
After examining the gun, detectives found it was filled with ammunition. It will now be forensically tested to see if it is linked to any shootings.
READ MORE: Forensic officers at scene after third 'shooting' in three days on Merseyside
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson from the police firearms investigation team said: "The man saw something suspicious near the water and discovered a firearm with a magazine of bullets inside it. We are now forensically testing the firearm to see if it is linked to any incidents. We are pleased he did the right thing by contacting us to get it removed from our streets."
The find comes after three reported shootings in Merseyside over three days. Yesterday, on Wednesday, June 8, police were called to the Arrowe Park Pub, in Woodchurch, after reports three men had run into the pub to take cover. The men are alleged to have shouted that shots had been fire at them from a car.
Shots were fired at a house on Mill Lane, Wavertree, on Tuesday, June 7 and Springvale Close, in Kirkby, on Monday, June 6. It is not yet clear whether all the shootings are linked, however, police have said they believe the shootings are targeted.
Merseyside Police recently held a firearms surrender for people to hand over any guns and ammunition to be disposed of in a responsible and safe way. As a result, 92 weapons handed in over two weeks, of which more than a third (36) were working firearms, plus more than 800 live rounds of ammunition out of circulation.
DCI Wilson added: "This latest find just goes to show that criminals will hide weapons anywhere where it could end up in a child’s hands – whether that is in open spaces or in a resident’s garden. So I urge members of the public to be vigilant and look around your property to ensure that weapons have not been concealed there as criminals will conceal their weapons in the most unusual places.
"If you do find anything, don’t touch it but call 101 and we will take it from there." If you have got any information about the use or storage of weapons message @MerPolCC on Twitter or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
