A gun was the reason armed police descended on a Merseyside street at the weekend and why officers remain there today- the ECHO can reveal.
Armed police descended on a residential street in Thornton and cordoned off an entire park, according to an eyewitnesses.
A resident told the ECHO he saw dozens of police vehicles, including multiple armed response units, descended on Masefield Road.
He also said officers were positioned at every entrance to Thornton Park and it was cordoned off.
Today Merseyside Police confirmed the call-out centered on the sighting of a gun on land off Hedgecroft, which is the neighbouring street to Masefield Road.
However there was no sign of weapon in the location described in the tip-off and police are continuing to scour the land today, a spokesman confirmed.
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A spokesman told the ECHO: "We can confirm armed officers are in attendance in Thornton following a report a firearm was sighted on Sunday, April 7.
"Police were called at around 3.45pm, when a member of the public reported seeing the firearm on land in Hedgecroft.
"Patrols attended and the area remains cordoned off while open land searches continue."
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The eyewitness told the ECHO yesterday: "There were four BMW Jeeps, two of those were armed response, two squad cars, a riot van and an unmarked [car].
"There is only a van and two cars now. And police at all the entrances to the park. They've cordoned the park off and are doing a land search in the morning but the police are going to remain."
Pictures on Sunday showed a police van and cars still parked on Masefield Road.
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Officers would urge anyone who has any information about the storage of firearms in this area to get in contact via @MerPolCC or 101.
You can also speak anonymously to Crimestoppers via @CrimestoppersUK on or 0800 555 111.
