A cinema has been placed into lockdown this evening by armed police after reports that a gunman is ‘on the loose’.
Armed police swooped in and started escorting families back to their cars at the Showcase Cinema in Norris Green, Liverpool, around 9pm on Wednesday.
Around 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on nearby Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged, police said.
Footage shows dozens of armed police cars circling the building on East Lancashire Road, with detectives and forensics arriving on the scene shortly after.
A police helicopter was filmed flying over the area as locals are stay away amid an ongoing ‘major incident’.
A cordon has also been place around the newsagents Sangha’s on nearby Lower House Lane.
Showcase Cinema in Liverpool has been placed under lockdown after reports of a gunman on the loose
Showcase Cinema said they were ‘aware of an incident at our cinema and the surrounding area in Liverpool’ and that ‘no one was injured’.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January.
‘At around 8.50pm officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm.
‘About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged.
‘Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing. At this stage no-one has been injured.’
A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: ‘We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool.
‘The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured.
‘We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation.’
Merseyside Police have been contacted for comment.