Armed police cordoned off a road in Merseyside as a result of an ongoing incident, believed to be a stand-off between police and a man “armed with a crowbar”, with a suspect now in custody.

Police can be seen on Alexandra Road, Birkenhead, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Officers are understood to have told residents in the Alexandra Road area to stay in their homes, with negotiators apparently called footage showing the arrival of a police dog as well.

Liverpool Echo reporter Olivia Williams, posting on X, said: “One person said they heard ‘bangs’ and another person what sounded like ‘thunder’ around the time of the incident.”

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that a man has been arrested following a report of a firearms incident at an address in Birkenhead this morning Saturday 16 March.

“Just after 2.10am we received a report that a man had entered a bar on Conway Street and threatened staff and people inside with a crowbar.

“The man then left the premises in a blue Jaguar.”

When officers attended the address of the man, he threatened them with a suspected firearm, the spokesman continued.

He added: “Armed officers closed off the area and have now arrested a 22-year-old man from Birkenhead on suspicion of possession of a suspected firearm, criminal damage and affray.

“Alexandra Road and Grange Mount is now reopened.

“Thank you for your patience whilst we dealt with this incident.”