Fourth man arrested in connection with robberies in Liverpool

Detectives investigating a series of armed robberies in Liverpool have arrested a fourth man in connection with the offences.

A 46-year-old from Toxteth has been arrested on suspicion of eight business robberies which have happened this month, and involved staff at businesses being threatened with what appeared to be a shotgun. He has been taken to a police station to be questioned.

A 39-year-old man from Dingle, a 42-year-old man from Aigburth and a 40-year-old man from Dingle arrested last week in connection with the series of robberies have been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Rhodes said: "These robberies have left a number of staff members at businesses in Liverpool extremely shaken.

“To threaten people in this way is cowardly and would have been a frightening experience for the victims as well as any witnesses. Fortunately in these cases no one has sustained any serious injury.

"Our officers have conducted extensive enquiries into these incidents, with victims and witnesses spoken to and CCTV footage from in and around the businesses viewed. We have also forensically examined the scenes for any clues as to who was responsible.

“Our investigations have so far resulted in four arrests and we continue to appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.

“I would urge any local businesses who experience this type of incident to call 999 and we can take immediate action to identify the people responsible and put them before the courts, to ensure that businesses are protected from any type of threat.

“We will continue to work with businesses to ensure they have appropriate security measures in place, and conduct high visibility patrols in key areas at key times of day to reassure businesses and shoppers alike.”

Anyone with information on crimes targeting businesses should always contact 999, or you can pass any other information to @MerPolCC with reference 19100294071 or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.