Fake posts spread widely on social media claiming four men stole an air ambulance helicopter are being investigated by police.
The fake posts, made up to look like posts from Merseyside Police, started to appeared on Twitter and Instagram on Saturday.
The posts claimed a gang of men from Bootle had stolen an air ambulance which had been attending an emergency.
It's believed the fake posts were sparked by a genuine emergency when an air ambulance landed in Bootle to assist a police incident where a man was "throwing items including bricks" at a house.
The air ambulance was on stand by at the scene after the man also reportedly suffered injuries.
Following the emergency, posts appeared on Instagram claiming the medical helicopter had been taken on a joy ride in Derby Park.
Fake news, made to look like a statement issued by Merseyside Police confirming the incident, were then widely shared on social media.
It's not yet known where the fake rumours originated.
On Twitter today, Merseyside Police confirmed they had been commenting on the fake posts to reassure people, adding: "We have commented under individual posts for the time being to reassure the public.
"We are working to find the origins of the fake tweets."
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