Merseyside Police have confirmed why armed police surrounded The Spellow pub for five hours.
Eyewitnesses said they first noticed police on Goodison Road in Walton at around 1.30pm on Friday, October 20. They added what started as a few Merseyside Police vehicles turned into around a dozen by 2.40pm, with multiple armed police cars, dog units and unmarked vehicles arriving at the scene.
A police helicopter was then seen circling over Walton from around 4pm and officers sealed Goodison Road, Dane Street and Wilburn Street around The Spellow Pub. No other emergency services were in attendance.
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Armed police officers and dogs were seen going in and out of the premises, with a number of officers being seen searching inside the pub itself. Armed officers were also seen shining torches into a mini-van at the front of the premises.
Merseyside Police have now confirmed they were called to Goodison Road as part of ongoing enquiries into a wanted man. They confirmed no arrests have been made. The incident was stood down and officers have now left the area.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said: "The incident at The Spellow on Goodison Road has now been stood down and officers have left. They were at the property as part of ongoing enquiries into a wanted male.
"No arrests have been made."
People living nearby said this wasn't the first time police were in the Walton area, with at least two properties being raided over the last 24 hours. this included a home on Dane Street and a flat on Walton Road.
It’s not known if the incident on Goodison Road is connected to the two raids.
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