Children found playing with sawn-off shotgun

Children playing in the street found a sawn-off shotgun and passed it around “as if it was a toy”, police said.

They found the weapon in a carrier bag hidden in a hedge near a car park in Toxteth, Liverpool, shortly after 5pm last night.

The group of youngsters aged between nine and 13 “handled” the gun before an adult spotted what they were doing and removed it, Merseyside Police said.

The resident took the weapon home and alerted police.

Investigation Launched After Firearm Found By Children In Toxteth, if you have any info call 0800 230 0600 http://t.co/JUk1efiT6p

— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) June 4, 2014

Detectives from Merseyside Police’s Matrix Serious Organised Crime unit are investigating how the firearm, which was not loaded, came to be in the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Robbie Slater said: “This was a dangerous firearm that had been recklessly left in a public place where anyone could have picked it up.

“It is extremely worrying that a group of children, not knowing any better, have picked this gun up and passed it around amongst themselves as if it was a toy.

“Thankfully the weapon was not loaded but it could have been and if it had been accidentally discharged an innocent person could have been seriously injured or even killed.”

He added: “The criminals who carry and use dangerous weapons on our streets have no regard for the safety of others and we will always do everything we can find them and bring them to justice.”