A 17-YEAR-OLD from Prescot has been arrested after police seized drugs, two knives and a 'pen gun'.

A private hire taxi was stopped on Liverpool Road in Huyton at about 1.15am on Saturday, August 10.

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The taxi was searched and a bag containing cannabis resin, scales, cash and two kitchen knives was seized.

A quantity of white powder was also found during a search of a passenger.

A house in Prescot was subsequently searched where more cannabis, and a ‘pen gun’ were recovered.

A 17-year-old boy from Prescot was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm; possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis); possession of a Class A drug (cocaine); and possession of a bladed article.

He has been released under investigation.

Chief Inspector Phil Mullally said: “Every stop check and arrest we make should serve as a reminder to criminals that we will not stand by and allow them to bring crime to our communities.

“Anyone intent on carrying and storing knives and firearms needs to know that we will continue to use a range of tactics to stop them, catch them and bring them to justice.

“Every drug, knife and firearm we seize hits criminals where it hurts by restricting their ability to fund and carry out their violent and often exploitative criminal activity.”

Chief Inspector Mullally added: “While we are devoting officers and staff from across the force to stopping criminals, the public play a crucial role in telling us what they are up to and where they are operating.

“If you know where guns, knives and drugs are being stored or where criminals are operating, please let us know so we can stop them from causing harm in our communities.”

  • Anyone with information on crime is encouraged to contact @MerPolCC , call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.