CCTV or dashcam footage is being sought after allegations a man was threatened with a fake gun on Saturday afternoon.

As previously reported, a large police presence was called to Hard Lane, Dentons Green, on Saturday afternoon, June 18.

Armed police were in attendance and nearby residents were asked to stay in their homes.

The nearby Abbey pub was locked down for a while as police attended the incident.

A police spokesman on Saturday told the Star there had been a "neighbour dispute" over parking and an arrest had been made, but offered no further information.

The force has subsequently given more details about the incident and issued a witness appeal.
 

'Fear of violence'

At around 2pm officers were called to a report that a man had been threatened with a gun. It was reported that a man came out of an address on the lane and approached the victim with a replica handgun after he saw him taking photos of a damaged car. 

No one was injured during the incident.

Armed officers arrested a 43-year-old man from St Helens on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. 

Police said several weapons, including a replica handgun, an air rifle and a Taser-type weapon were found at a house.

The suspect was taken to a police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation.
 

'Extensive investigation'

Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: “We hope this arrest shows the use of weapons on our streets will not be tolerated and we understand this would have been an alarming incident for local residents. 

“As well as making an arrest our officers also seized live ammunition, a taser type weapon, a replica handgun, an air rifle and several gas cannisters believed to power the air weapon from a property on Hard Lane.

“An extensive investigation remains underway as we continue our enquiries to find and remove such dangerous weapons from our streets.

“If you saw what happened on Hard Lane at around 2pm on Saturday afternoon, or have captured home CCTV or dashcam footage, please do come forward in confidence as any information could be vital to the investigation.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives via @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 22000423945.