A man has been arrested after a grenade was found in a car in Bootle.
Police were originally called to Strand Road at around 1.10pm on Monday to reports of a possible grenade discovered in the boot of a Ford Fiesta.
A cordon was put in place and several homes and businesses were evacuated as a precaution while the item was detonated at a safe location.
Detectives have since detained a 27-year-old from the local area at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate.
He has been taken to a police station for questioning.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson said: “Our investigation continues with this arrest and I’d continue to appeal to anyone with information to come forward at the earliest opportunity.
“This incident could have ended in devastation and understandably caused alarm in the community. Tell us what you know and we will do the rest.”
Anyone with information on the storage or possession of weapons is urged to contact Merseyside Police via their social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook.
You can also pass on information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or their online form