Firearms police arrest five

More firearms raids are expected in future weeks

Firearms police have arrested five people during early morning raids in Merseyside.

More than 60 police officers were involved in the operation on Thursday, in Liverpool and Wirral.

The five were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and were due to be questioned later.

Merseyside Police said the raids were part of an ongoing initiative against gun crime.

Chief Superintendent Mike Langdon said: "The police will keep up the pressure on criminals and these raids will send a strong signal to them."

Searches were carried out at homes in Birkenhead and Croxteth, just before 0600 GMT on Thursday.

Mr Langdon said the force was expecting to carry out further raids in the coming weeks.