Key Points
- Merseyside Police armed officers were sent to Old Swan in Liverpool following reports of a man with a meat cleaver.
- The initial sighting took place on Queens Drive at around 6.15 pm on Tuesday, October 27.
- Other sightings have him traveling down towards Belfast Road and Ulster Road, before being seen last in Green Lane.
- The police are currently looking for a man in his 20s described as black in color with mid-length dreadlocks. The man is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall with a slim build.
- He was described to have been wearing a dark jacket and dark grey joggers.
- According to Merseyside Police, no one was injured from these sightings.
- People who have any information are urged to contact them using log number 754 of Tuesday, October 27.
- Merseyside police ask people to dial 999 in case of an emergency.
Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 28, 2026 – Armed police attended a part of Liverpool after reports that a man had been seen walking through the area carrying a meat cleaver. A search remains under way to locate the suspect, according to the Liverpool ECHO.
As reported by the Liverpool ECHO, Merseyside Police received the initial report shortly before 6.15pm on Tuesday, October 27, after a man was said to be in possession of a meat cleaver on Queens Drive.
A short time later, the force received a further report that the same man had been seen carrying the weapon towards Belfast Road and Ulster Road in Old Swan. He was last reported seen on Green Lane.
Armed officers from Merseyside Police attended the area. The force said enquiries were ongoing to find the suspect.
Why did armed police attend?
Armed officers were deployed because the reports concerned a person allegedly carrying a meat cleaver in a residential area. Merseyside Police has not said whether the man made any threats or approached members of the public.
The Liverpool ECHO reported that no injuries were reported to Merseyside Police following the sightings. The force has not confirmed whether any arrest has been made or whether a weapon has been recovered.
Who are police looking for?
Merseyside Police described the man they are seeking as believed to be in his 20s. According to the Liverpool ECHO, he was described as black, with mid-length dreadlocks, approximately 5ft 11in tall and of slim build.
The man was reportedly wearing a dark jacket and dark grey jogging bottoms. Police have appealed for information from anyone who may have seen him or has details that could assist the investigation.
What have police asked the public to do?
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said, as quoted by the Liverpool ECHO:
“Anyone with information which could help the investigation should contact Merseyside Police’s social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC with log number 754 of Tuesday, October 27.”
The spokesperson added that information could also be reported through the force’s website or by calling 101. In an emergency, the force advised people to contact 999 immediately.
Is there any risk to the public?
Merseyside Police has not issued a public warning stating that there is an ongoing risk to residents. The available reporting confirms that armed officers attended and that enquiries are continuing to find the man.
The Liverpool ECHO reported that the sightings occurred in the Old Swan area, with the last reported sighting on Green Lane. No further details about the circumstances of the reports have been released by the force.
Background of the development
Old Swan is a residential area of Liverpool, and Queens Drive, Belfast Road, Ulster Road and Green Lane are streets connected by the route described in the police reports. The reports prompted a police response on the evening of Tuesday, October 27.
The information currently available comes from Merseyside Police’s appeal and reporting by the Liverpool ECHO. The force has asked witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward while its investigation continues.
Prediction: How this may affect Liverpool residents
For residents of Old Swan and nearby areas, the development is likely to increase attention on street safety and police visibility in the short term. People who witnessed the incidents may be contacted by investigators or encouraged to share information through Merseyside Police’s reporting channels.
If the man is identified or located, further updates may clarify whether the reports involved a threat to the public. Until then, residents should follow official Merseyside Police updates and use 101 for non-emergency information or 999 in an emergency.
