People were not allowed to leave a pub after a man was spotted in the beer garden with an imitation gun.
Merseyside Police were called to The Royal Oak on Walton Road, in Walton, on Friday, April 28, following reports of a man with a handgun. Armed police arrived at the scene a short time later, with eyewitnesses reporting at least one police van and three police cars attended.
The pub shut their doors with customers inside as police dealt with the incident. Officers seized a replica firearm and have arrsted a 36-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of firearm offences.
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He has been taken to a police station in Merseyside and remains in custody.
Chief Inspector Jason Crellin said: “We hope this arrest and our immediate response to this incident reiterates that the possession of firearms and dangerous weapons will not be tolerated in Merseyside. An investigation is now underway as we continue our enquiries into this incident.”
One woman who was sat in the pub at the time of the incident said she saw the moment police detained a man who was sat outside in the beer garden with a pint.
The eyewitness said: "We were in there and they found out a man had a gun. He got a pint, sat outside and then the police all came.
"We got locked in by the police and I went to ask to go for a ciggy and they wouldn't open the door. They took the fella away."
Another person who was at the pub at the time said the staff were "fantastic" and "very professional" during the incident. The pub was open to the public again by 6pm.
A spokesperson for the Royal Oak said: "To ensure the safety of our guests we briefly closed the premises whilst the police dealt with an issue in the vicinity of the pub. Following the arrest of an individual we quickly reopened for our guests and we continue to trade this evening."
Anyone who has information about this incident should contact @MerPolCC, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 768 of Friday 28 April. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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