Armed police shoot out taxi tyres in hunt for man

Merseyside Police said the car was stopped "in a controlled manner"

Police shot out the tyres of a taxi to bring it to a halt so they could arrest a suspect.

The "pre-planned stop" happened in Walton Lane, Liverpool, near to Everton FC's Goodison Park ground, just before 13:00 BST.

Merseyside Police said its trained firearms officers brought the taxi to a halt in a "controlled manner".

The force said it had arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

Police stopped the vehicle on Walton Lane just before 13:00BST

A firearm, believed to be a self-loading pistol, was taken away for testing.

Det Insp John Mullen said: “A tactical and safe stop of the vehicle was carried out on Walton Lane by trained armed police officers who shot out the tyres in a controlled manner.

“One man inside the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

“We are in the very early stages of our enquiries but removing firearms from the streets of Merseyside and keeping people safe remains a priority for the force.

“I would like to thank the public for their patience while this matter is being dealt with.”

A section of Walton Lane was closed in both directions after the incident.