A loaded handgun found by police in Huyton will now be tested to establish if it has been used in recent shootings.
Police found the pistol on land in the Slim Road area of Huyton at around 9.50am today (Tuesday).
The gun, found in bushes, will now be tested to establish if it has been used in any recent shootings across Merseyside, police have said.
A spokesman for the force said: "Officers carrying out an open land search in Huyton this morning have recovered a loaded firearm.
"At around 9.50am, a loaded handgun was located in Slim Road, and has been forensically recovered.
"Enquiries will be carried out to establish whether the weapon is linked to any previous incidents."
Knowsley Community Policing Sergeant Peter Martland said to the ECHO : “Removing this weapon and ammunition will make the streets of Huyton a much safer place to be.
"The weapon has been safely recovered and our enquiries will continue, in order to find out if it has been used before, and to whom it belongs. This is a significant recovery of an extremely dangerous weapon.
“We’re absolutely committed to tackling those involved in all serious organised crime, including gun crime, and we have dedicated significant resources into taking weapons and offenders off our streets. The use of firearms will never be tolerated, and through this work we have seen a decrease in shootings in recent years.
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“Information from those communities affected makes a big difference, so if you know where dangerous weapons are being stored, carried or used, let us know and we will take positive action.”
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress, or pass information via @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
