A gang of men ran from police after one was found carrying a gun during a search in the street.
Officers in Halewood stopped a man on Arncliffe Road at around 3pm on Wednesday.
He was found to be carrying a gun and when police discovered it, three other men ran from the scene in a different direction.
A helicopter was deployed, according to witnesses, who said officers were searching for the men in the area of Mackett's Lane.
After a short time, all four men were arrested and taken into custody.
People living in the area sent pictures of the scene to the ECHO which showed armed officers guarding a white plastic bag.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "Officers have arrested four men and recovered a suspected firearm in Halewood today, Wed, 6 January.
"At around 3pm, officers on patrol in Arncliffe Road carried out a stop search of a man who was found in possession of a suspected firearm.
"Three other men at the scene made off on foot before officers detained them a short time later.
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"The four are being taken to custody where they will remain for questioning and an investigation is ongoing. "
Anyone with information on this incident or the use of firearms can contact police by DM von Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 5.
Please send any images or footage direct to detectives via the following link: https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/merseyside/appeal/21000010979.11
