Merseyside Police find WWII firearm in open land search

Police say it had the potential to cause serious fear and harm in the community.

WWII gun
Author: Natalie HigginsPublished 22nd Aug 2019
Last updated 27th Aug 2019

Last night Merseyside Police found a World War Two firearm after conducting an open land search in Fazakerley.

At around 5pm, officers in the Falcon Hey area found a suspected M3 sub machine gun inside a bag, and an empty magazine nearby.

It has been forensically recovered and the scene has now been stood down.

Detective Inspector Sean Kelly-Martland said: "This initially appears to be a viable firearm with the potential to cause serious fear and harm in our communities.

"We will be carrying out forensic enquiries to establish who has handled this weapons and if it has been used previously, either in Merseyside or elsewhere.

"Either way, a potentially dangerous weapon has been taken out of the hands of those who look to be involved in serious and organised crime.

"Open land searches are one of many tactics we carry out to remove dangerous weapons from the streets. If you know where any firearms or other weapons are being stored where you are, let us know and we can continue to take such positive action and keep the communities safe.”

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