Axes, machetes and sword found as boys arrested

Axes, machetes, and a two-handed sword have been seized as part of a police town centre crackdown on anti-social behaviour, which led to six boys, aged between 11 and 13, being arrested.

They were held as part of an ongoing dispersal zone in Birkenhead town centre, Merseyside Police said.

The force said there had been reports of a group of young people dressed in all black on Henthorne Street on Tuesday night, who were later found by officers in a nearby home.

Six boys have been arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and remain in custody for questioning.

Officers searched a house on Henthorne Street and found six axes, two machetes, "a claymore-style sword" and some smaller bladed weapons, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said.

The dispersal order includes Birkenhead Park and most of the town centre and will remain in place until 16:00 BST on Thursday.

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