A man 'kidnapped' after being chased into a cafe by gunmen in front of stunned diners has been found.
Armed police were called to Blanche's cafe on Regent Road in Bootle on Tuesday to reports of the incident at around midday.
Witnesses said that a young man was fleeing two others when he burst into the cafe shouting "save me, save me" .
Diners then told the ECHO that the man then barricaded the door shut but was unable to keep the gunmen out and they entered the restaurant armed with handguns before forcing him outside and into a waiting BMW.
ECHO readers had taken to social media to state how frightening the whole ordeal was to hear about with concern growing surrounding his fate .
But today police said the man had been found.
A police spokesman said: "Following extensive enquiries, a man in his 20s, believed to have been the intended victim of the incident, was identified and confirmed to be safe and well this morning."
CCTV, witness and other enquiries are ongoing and detectives want anyone with information to come forward.
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Lorry drivers could also play a vital role in the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said: “Although we have thankfully spoken to this man, we still need to establish exactly what happened and why.
"Extensive work has been going on since Tuesday and this continues. Regent Road is a busy thoroughfare with local workers and vehicles passing by.
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"Were you in the area on foot or in a vehicle? Lorries passing by may have captured some or all of the incident on dashcams so please check and let us know.
“We will act on all information provided to find those responsible and take them and this weapon from the streets.”
The drama on Tuesday had played out in front of terrified diners.
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One customer said: "One of the masked men put his gun down on a table during the struggle for a moment so he could grab hold of the lad.
"The victim was screaming 'save me save me' and wanted someone to call the police.
"When they had a firm grip on him they dragged him out of the cafe and threw him in the back of BMW. They then roared off."
One witness praised armed police for their quick response and said it felt like they had arrived within seconds.
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He said: "A few minutes armed police arrived. I remember the girls were still serving breakfasts up as the place filled with armed police."
Anyone with information can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
