Two teens arrested in connection with the sale of weapons online

Two teenagers have been arrested in a County Lines operation to tackle the sale of weapons online.

This morning, officers from Merseyside Police executed two warrants at addresses in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire and Bidston, Wirral following a proactive investigation into the sale of knives and weapons on social media.

Two 18-year-old males from Bidston and Ellesmere Port were arrested on suspicion of Offering to supply or sell an offensive weapon and Publishing any written, pictorial or other material in connection with the marketing of any knife.

They are in police custody to be questioned.

The warrant was part of a County Lines operation led by Merseyside Police to tackle the online sale of knives and weapons across the country.

It coincides with Sceptre, the national week of action targeting knife crime, as the force continues its drive to prevent and reduce serious violence.

Detective Sergeant Kieran Connolly from the County Lines Investigation team said: “This warrant was part of a national operation led by Merseyside Police to tackle the online sale of drugs, knives and weapons on social media across the country.

“We are working proactively to take weapons off our streets, including targeting online vendors who are selling knives illegally and causing fear and harm in our communities.

“We know the devastation that knife crime brings and never lose sight of the work that needs to be done. I would urge anyone with any concerns around knife crime to come forward and speak to us, either directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers so we can act on community intelligence.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.