Police issue warning after replica gun causes panic

Staffordshire Police have issued a warning after responding to a report of a boy with a suspected gun in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday (21 February).

Just before 4.45pm, Staffordshire Police were told that a teenage boy inside the Potteries Shopping Centre, on Market Square, Hanley, had a gun. Armed police attended the scene but the teenager had left the centre with two other boys and a girl shortly before they arrived.

Upon completing a search of the area, officers located two boys near Forest Park, one had a replica BB Gun. 

The boy was issued with safety advice. The replica gun, which is not a viable firearm, will be destroyed.

Chief Inspector Laura Davies said: “Whilst the decision was made on this occasion to issue the boy with words of advice, I would like to remind those who use replica guns in an anti-social manner, causing alarm to members of the public, that they may face arrest when they are caught.

“I’d also encourage parents and guardians to speak to children around the implications of having realistic looking replica guns in public, or using them to engage in anti-social behaviour."