Armed police have attended a premises in Southport town centre this evening.
OTS News was alerted to the presence just after 16:30 today, with armed officers remaining outside the alleyway to Nook Bar as of 17:15. OTS News is not aware of any suggestion that Nook Bar is related to the episode.
A number of police vehicles lined Hoghton Street, with a second contingent remaining close to the YMCA.
Hoghton Street remained open to traffic with all businesses continuing to trade as normal.
In an unconfirmed report, one eyewitness told OTS News that an individual had been spotted on a balcony brandishing a weapon.
Merseyside Police confirmed that they had been called “over the behaviour of a male in a nearby flat” but that the incident was later designated to be related to pest control.