Items were delivered to an address before being shipped to another location
Merseyside Police at an address in St Helens(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Police swarmed a home in St Helens after an arsenal of weapons was uncovered. It was reported to Merseyside Police that building materials were delivered to an address in Rainford without payment, which were then transported in a van to another location, yesterday (Friday, January 23) afternoon.
Officers located the stolen building materials at an address nearby and searched the premises. Police found zombie knives, air rifles, BB guns and crossbows at the address, they said today.
Two men, aged 41 and 27, from St Helens, were arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms, handling stolen goods and theft. They remain in police custody to be questioned, police said.
Officers are continuing to search the property on Saturday morning and a scene remains in place while the investigation is ongoing. When the ECHO went to the scene people nearby, on Siding Lane, said a police presence had been in the area all day.
Detective Inspector James Rotheram said: “Thankfully this haul of weapons has been removed from our streets which prevents them from doing serious harm in our communities.
“Although we have made two arrests, we would appeal to anyone who has information which will assist the investigation to please contact us.
“We are determined to rid the streets of weapons which are used to create fear and intimidate their victims. They do not care about the fear and devastation their actions can wreak on our communities and they have no place here in Merseyside.
“We conduct warrants, stop checks and searches in those areas where people tell us these offenders operate, so keep telling us what you know so that we can take positive action.”
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with crime reference 26000062428.
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.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.