A MAN has been charged with firearms offences following a nine hour armed siege in Birkenhead. 

Armed officers surrounded a residence on Alexander Road after an incident at a nearby bar in the early hours of Saturday morning (March 16).

At around 2.10am, police received a report that a man had threatened staff and people inside a bar in Conway Street with a crowbar.

The man then left the premises in a blue Jaguar before he was followed to a property on Alexander Road. 

It was further reported that the man then threatened officers with a suspected firearm when they arrived at the address.

Alexandra Road and Grange Mount were both sealed off during the incident which ended at around midday. 

Nearby residents were advised to stay indoors and keep away from windows. 

A man was arrested, and an imitation firearm was recovered from the property.

Jay Williams, 22, of Alexandra Road, Birkenhead has now been charged with affray, make use/attempt to make use imitation firearm with intent to resist arrest, threatening a person with an offensive weapon and threats to kill.

Williams is due to appear at Sefton Magistrates Court today (Monday, March 18).

Detective Inspector Phil Ryan said: “It is vital that members of our communities come forward with information so we can make our communities safer for the decent, law-abiding people who live in areas affected by gun crime.

“Where people are willing to support the police, we will ensure every possible avenue is progressed to protect them.

“And if you don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the police call the independent, anonymous, Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111, we need to know who is involved in gun crime and where those guns are being stored.”

If you have any information about suspected firearms in your area, please contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.