Special police powers were used as officers attempted to ease tensions on an estate hit by trouble this year.
Increased stop and search were granted to patrols on Wirral's Beechwood estate following a series of incidents - including reports of a man wielding a gun.
Those concerns led to armed police being scrambled to the area on Wednesday.
A 20-year-old man from Kensington was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Merseyside Police said fears surrounding the gun-sighting were just one factor behind a Section 60 Order being signed off for Wednesday night.
The order allows police to search people even if they do not have reasonable grounds to suspect they they are carrying weapons. It can only be used when there is a belief that serious violence may unfold within a specific area.
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The area has caused issues for police during 2020. In the run up to Bonfire Night officers patrolling the estate had fireworks thrown at them.
Back in April a swathe of the estate was cordoned off after two homes were hit in a shooting during lockdown.
The attack happened near Beechwood Drive's junction with Farmfield Drive and led to forensics examining the area for hours. A car with gunfire damage was later found in Birkenhead in connection with the incident.
The Section 60 Order was in place until 4am this morning, with police likely to consider whether it will be necessary for further nights on Thursday.
Community Policing Inspector Tom Welch said: “I want to assure those in the community that we take all such incidents extremely seriously, and increased patrols will be in the area tonight so speak us with any issues and we will take the appropriate action.”
*Anyone with information on crime in the area is urged to contact Merseyside Police on Twitter (via @MerPolCC), or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111
