Sniffer dogs were seen searching the grass and trees in the areaSniffer dog searching the areaSniffer dog searching the area(Image: Liverpool Echo)

A teenager has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm. It comes after Merseyside Police were called to Methyr Grove in Childwall at around 3.05pm on Thursday, June 5 to a report a male had been seen with what appeared to be a firearm in his pocket.

The male was reported to have made his way from Inchcape Road, and officers deployed to the area detained him on Chelwood Avenue at around 3.30pm. Following further searches an imitation firearm was recovered.

A 15-year-old boy from Childwall was arrested and has now been charged with possession of an imitation firearm in a public place and criminal damage. He has been remanded into custody to appear at Merseyside Youth Remand Court today, Friday, June 6.

There was a large police presence in the area and officers at the scenes officers from Merseyside Police were seen conducting door-to-door enquiries. Sniffer dogs were searching grass and trees on Bowring Park Road opposite the houses.

Merseyside Police on Bowring Park RoadMerseyside Police on Bowring Park Road(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

They were also seen searching people’s front gardens in the area. Officers could also be seen searching over the Greystone Foot Bridge on to the M62 motorway.

Detective Inspector Steve Street said: “To the untrained eye, imitation firearms can look like real firearms and are capable of causing a huge amount of fear and harm. We take all reports of firearms seriously, whether they turn out to be viable or imitation.

“When the community give us information on where they are we will execute warrants, carry out stop checks and undertake searches in homes, industrial premises and open land across Merseyside.

“We are determined to disrupt and bring to justice criminals who possess any type of firearm illegally and whose reckless disregard for those around them can bring violence and fear into the heart of our communities.”

Sniffer dog searching the areaSniffer dog searching the area(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Anyone with information on this incident should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via their website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101 quoting incident reference 25000462379.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.

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