Police are appealing for information after businesses were targeted by men posing as police and immigration officers.
The incidents, which police believe to be linked, involved men threatening shopkeepers in Kensington on Thursday, while carrying walkie-talkies.
The first incident took place at around 7am, when three men visited the Mohamed Mini Mart.
One took goods from outside the store, while the second man told the shopkeeper that he was a police officer and needed to view CCTV footage, police said.
A third man then approached the shopkeeper behind the counter, who called for assistance and the men left the store.
Merseyside Police said the group are also believed to have stolen a mobile phone from a van outside.
Two men were described as white, in their 20s or 30s and wearing face masks and baseball caps.
The third was described as having a black cap with a white logo, a black jacket and blue jeans, while one was in possession of a walkie-talkie.
Shortly after the incident at around 8am, two men entered the Best Inn Late Shop on Atwell Street, claiming to be from the immigration service.
One of them was also in possession of a walkie-talkie.
A customer challenged the man and asked for identification, before she left and called police.
In a statement Merseyside Police said the shopkeeper was threatened with a small flick knife and cash and cigarettes were stolen from the store.
The men also stole the victim's car which was later found abandoned on Ellens Close.
The victim was left shaken by the incident but was thankfully uninjured.
CCTV and other enquiries into the incidents are ongoing which police believe are linked.
Detective Inspector Simon Hurst said: "These are both concerning incidents and distressing to experience.
"I would urge anyone who witnessed them or has any information to come forward, as our enquiries continue. All of those targeted has suspicions and did the right thing in alerting us.
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"We will continue to work with all businesses locally to make it known that such incidents have occurred, and provide any advice when necessary.
"Police officers and other officials will always identify themselves with warrant cards and relevant identification but if you are ever unsure or uncomfortable, contact us on 999 and we will be able to verify the details or attend immediately to investigate."
Always call 999 immediately if a crime is in progress. If you saw or have any information about these incidents, contact us @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference 20000687062, or call the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also contact them via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
