Police discovered three guns in a raid on a Netherton house. The home of Gordon Rhodes, on Abbeystead Avenue, was as part of their Evolve operation in February this year. During a search of the property, detectives found three firearms, including a Glock and two revolvers, three small bullets, a quantity of cash and cannabis. The 57-year-old was and later charged with multiple firearm offences. This week heard how Rhodes's home was targeted as part of Evolve, a partnership effort to help stop neighbourhoods being exploited by gangs. Rhodes was jailed for nine years and nine months after being convicted of three counts of possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis and jailed on Thursday, August 17. Since Evolve was launched in Netherton in February, the force has made 32 arrests, seized five firearms, 20 rounds of ammunition, a significant amount of Class A and B drugs and recovered numerous stolen cars and bikes. John Mullen, from Merseyside Police's Firearm Investigation Team, said: "We sadly know the devastating consequences of gun crime, not only on victims and their families but also in our wider communities. Our officers are carrying out warrants like this, as well as land searches and stop checks, every single day across Merseyside to disrupt such callous criminals who store, carry and use firearms. "If you provide information on where you think firearms and ammunition are being stored, carried and used, we will take action to make the communities safer. Taking a gun, ammunition or an offender off the streets can save a life, and make those areas affected by gun crime places where such crime will not be tolerated." Community Inspector Ray Mavrakakis added: "A key part of our work to clear communities in this first phase of EVOLVE is to remove those people who play a significant part in bringing fear and harm to the heart of those communities. We know the very serious harm that criminals who store, carry and use firearms can bring to our communities, and the jailing of Gordon Rhodes has taken one such offender off our streets. "Bringing offenders to justice is a huge part of helping improve Netherton, but it’s not the only activity police and partners are involved in. Street cleans, the installation of extra CCTV and provision of activities for people of all ages through community groups will all help to provide lasting solutions to tackling organised crime in the area."