Three men have been arrested and a suspected gun has been seized after an incident in Prescot last month.
On May 24, it was reported shots were fired and a loud bang was heard, before four men were seen running away from the area. The incident happened on Kemble Street and a cordon was put in place at Market Place, stretching to parts of Sewell Street too.
There were no reports of anyone being injured and police were unable to find evidence of damage or bullets recovered. On Friday, May 26, a 17-year-old man, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was charged with modifying an imitation fire arm.
Today, on Thursday, June 15, Merseyside police carried out four warrants in Prescot, Whiston and Netherley and arrested a 50-year-old man from Prescot on suspicion of assisting an offender and possessing a controlled Class A drug (heroin).
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Officers also arrested a 20-year-old man, from Netherley, and a 22-year-old man, from Prescot, on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to injure. During these warrants, officers also seized a suspected firearm, which has been forensically recovered to be established if it is a viable weapon.
Police also seized a quantity of Class A drugs, cash and arrested a fourth man, aged 57 and from Prescot, on suspicion of possessing a controlled Class A drug with intent to supply. This fourth arrest is not in connection to the incident in Prescot.
Detective chief inspector Paul McVeigh said: "Since the reported incident in Prescot town centre, we have carried out an extensive investigation and officers have today made a number of key arrests. The gun has been forensically recovered and will be examined to establish if it is a viable weapon. Our enquiries remain ongoing.
"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. We understand the fear that gun crime brings into our communities, but also see daily the impact we can all make to reduce such incidents.
"Information passed on by the public, either directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers, makes a massive difference in identifying suspects, seizing weapons and removing those people who would bring lethal weapons onto our streets. Although we have made these arrests, we are still appealing for anyone with information about this incident to please get in touch.
"The public are our eyes and ears and any information about where guns are being stored or who is using them is vital to the work we are doing. If you have any information on this incident, or who has information which could help us with our inquiries, please DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 with reference 23000444515. You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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