A police helicopter was seen flying overhead
Police scene at Elaine Street, Toxteth(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Armed police surrounded a Liverpool street after a woman threatened another woman with what was believed to be a handgun. Merseyside Police were called to Elaine Street in Toxteth shortly after 3pm on Thursday, June 19 following reports of a “disturbance”.
A woman was detained at an address, and an imitation firearm was recovered, police said.
When the ECHO arrived at the scene, one police car remained. A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I came back home after work at about 20 past 4 and there was loads of armed police everywhere with huge guns.
“They told me to reverse back down the road. They arrested a woman and it looked like there was a gun in a bag. There was a helicopter flying around for a while as well.”
A 48-year-old woman from Toxteth has been arrested on suspicion of a firearm with intent to cause violence. She is in police custody to be questioned.
Chief Inspector Phil Thompson said: “Although the victim was not harmed she very shaken by the incident, and this type of behaviour is totally unacceptable.
“We all know too well the devastation gun crime causes in our communities, and any type of firearm has no place on our streets.
“To the untrained eye, an imitation firearm and BB guns 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 lethal weapons onto our streets.”
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101 quoting incident of 699 of 19 June.
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 In an emergency always call 999.
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