Rainhill Station was closed to the public this evening after armed police responded to reports of a man with a ‘gun’. Emergency services were called to Station Road at around 7.25pm following concerns for the safety of a man. A large police presence quickly descended, including armed officers, police helicopters, and multiple patrol cars and vans.
Train services were suspended and road closures were put in place as officers worked to resolve the situation. One witness, who had been waiting on the platform at the time of the incident, told the ECHO: “Me and my partner were waiting for the 7.30 train. Armed police came around the corner to tell us to get inside the ticket office.
“There were four of us waiting for the train. After a few minutes we popped our head out to look and there was about ten armed police officers on the bridge and on the station pointed the guns to the tracks.
“We were then screamed at and told to get back in the ticket office. An armed policeman then said we need to leave the platform. When walking out there was about six police cars, police helicopters and vans. As we left in a taxi they were closing roads surrounding the station.”
Independent Rainhill Councillor Kate Stevenson said pubs in the local village were “ordered to lock their doors” following the incident.
In a statement posted to Facebook, she said: “The heavy police presence in Rainhill this evening means Rainhill station is closed on both sides. No trains will be stopping at Rainhill until the situation has been made safe.
“Station street is closed from Debbie Bennett’s to the Post Office with no entry allowed, as is Tasker Terrace. The pubs have been ordered to lock their doors. Please avoid the area as both a motorist and a pedestrian, and please make contact with people who were to be collected from, or were expected to arrive at the station.”
Merseyside Police confirmed a man was located and detained at the scene. A suspected BB gun was recovered and seized by officers. No one was injured during the incident.
The man has been taken to a police station for questioning.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that officers have been in Rainhill following an incident this evening, Thursday 2 October. At 7.25pm, a report was received of a concern for the safety of a man near to Rainhill Railway Station, Station Rd.
“Officers attended and located a man. He has been detained and a suspected BB gun was seized.
“He will be taken to a police station for questioning. Nobody was injured.”
For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here.
Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time. We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
