Armed police surrounded a house last night amid fears over "suspicious activity" inside.
Shocked residents took to social media during the dramatic scenes close to New Ferry Bypass, Wirral shortly after 11pm and some said they were told to stay inside their homes while armed officers surrounded a property.
Neighbours said they could see "police everywhere" as armed officers lined New Ferry Road and adjoining Napier Road.
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Witnesses described seeing officers with shields searching a house close to shops.
One said: "They are round the back of the shop and chippy and not letting anyone near. They also have shields."
Another said during the police searches "no-one allowed out of their houses".
Today Merseyside Police confirmed armed officers were called over "reports of suspicious circumstances at a house on New Ferry Road" but there was nobody in the property and the incident was stood down.
A spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of suspicious circumstances at a house on New Ferry Road in Wirral at 11.10pm last night (Tuesday).
"We attended and checked the premises. There was nobody present and no issues and the incident was stood down."
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