Detectives from Merseyside Police’s Matrix Serious Organised Crime Unit are investigating after gun was found in Litherland yesterday afternoon.
The handgun was found by a member of the public shortly before 2.30pm in the Daley Road area.
Firearms officers attended the scene and confirmed the weapon, which was wrapped in several plastic bags, was a real firearm. Also found with it was a small quantity of ammunition.
The gun was recovered by crime scene investigators and will be forensically examined.
The discovery follows a recent shooting in nearby Monfa Road, Bootle, which Matrix detectives are currently investigating.
The 29-year-old victim in that case remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital having undergone surgery.
Superintendent Claire Richards from Sefton command team said information from the community about who was responsible for the shooting and where weapons and illegal vehicles were being hidden was vital.
She said: “This is an excellent discovery as it means that there is now one less firearm in circulation that cannot be used to cause fear and intimidation in our communities.
“The weapon is a viable firearm which has the devastating potential to cause serious harm so it is very good news to take it out of the hands of criminals.
“We are determined to do all we can to crackdown on serious and organised crime in Sefton and protect members of the public from the criminal minority.
“Our investigations into the recent shooting in Monfa Road are progressing well and people can expect to see a large police presence in Bootle and Litherland to provide reassurance to anyone who is worried.
“We cannot do everything on our own however and information from the public is vital if we are to arrest offenders and seize dangerous weapons and illegal scrambler bikes.
“If anyone has any information about criminal activity where they live, they can call our gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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