Merseyside Police appeal following theft of Shotguns in Formby

Merseyside Police is appealing for information following the theft of two licensed firearms in Formby.

A report was received at about 10pm on Thursday, 7 December that a Browning shotgun and a Beretta shotgun had been taken from a car parked outside the Sparrowhawk Hotel, Southport Old Road in Formby. The owner discovered they had been taken from the Isuzu D-Max 4x4 vehicle at 6pm that day, and they are believed to have been taken between 5-6pm.

Detective Inspector Robbie Moss said: “I would like to reassure the local community that we are doing everything we can to investigate this theft and recover these stolen firearms. The weapons were legally-owned shotguns which belong to someone who had correctly registered them with the police. However in the wrong hands they are clearly dangerous and getting them back is our top priority.

"The people who have stolen them may not fully appreciate the danger they may be putting themselves and others in by handling these weapons so I would appeal for them to come forward so we can take back possession of them safely.

"I would also urge anyone who knows the people who have got them to think carefully about the risks and implications of handling a firearm. We do not want anyone to come to any harm due to these weapons being misused or falling into the wrong hands so please, do the right thing and call the police.

“If you remember seeing anything suspicious around 5-6pm on Thursday close to the Sparrowhawk Hotel and haven’t yet spoken to the police then please call us on 101 quoting incident reference 0517314995. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."