A man fired a blank firearm on a Merseyside street, leading to a police response and subsequent arrest.
Emergency services went to the scene and found a bullet casing. It was identified as from a blank firearm. Police put a cordon in place and a forensic examination took place. No one got hurt in this situation.
A 42-year-old man from Kirkby was arrested and later charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He also had an offensive weapon in private and is still in police custody.
The police found a blank-firing weapon, potentially an Ekol made in Turkey, which they will test forensically. These guns used to be legal to own, but testing now shows they are a threat because criminals can easily convert them.
The tests were by the National Crime Agency, who looked at Turkish-made Retay, Ekol, Ceonic, and Blow models. People could hand in these models without fear of prosecution, during an amnesty that ended on February 28.
Blank firers have a blocked barrel and only fire blank cartridges. They have bright colors on over half of their surface to help tell them apart from real guns. Gases leave the top of the weapon when fired.
Police are very serious about firearm reports, leading to the quick arrest of a man in this instance. Imitation firearms can scare people, as they may not know the difference. Consequently, public information is crucial for police.
Communities must share information with the police to help make the communities safer. Police say they will pursue every possible lead. People can call Crimestoppers anonymously if they prefer, at 0800 555 111.