A man’s due in court charged with possessing an imitation firearm near the Merry Hill Centre at the weekend.

A man’s due in court charged with possessing an imitation firearm in Brierley Hill at the weekend.

Officers swooped on the business district in Waterfront Way, off Level Street, at 1pm on Saturday following reports that someone was armed with a gun.

23-year-old Liam Palmer, from Brockmoor, was taken into custody soon afterwards and will appear before Dudley Magistrates.

Officers continued to patrol part of the car park for around an hour following the arrest.