Following raids at four addresses in Stockton, Co. Durham, police officers arrested three men on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson, firearm offences and being involved in the activities of an organised crime group. Staff and pupils at a nearby primary school stayed indoors during the operation.

Richard Basson, aged 45, has been jailed for life, to serve at least 32 years, after being convicted of murder. In September 2023, Basson shot his partner in the head at close range with a semi-automatic handgun at their home in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. Basson then hid the gun in the garden and wiped down surfaces before calling 999. The woman was taken to hospital but died two days later. The court heard that Basson had been “coercive, dominant and controlling” towards his victim throughout their relationship and had likely shot her after an argument. On sentencing, the judge said, “You spun a web of lies. You were motivated by saving your own skin…” Basson will serve consecutive terms of six years for possessing a firearm illegally and two-and-a-half years for having ammunition without a certificate.

Police appealed for information after shots were reportedly fired from one car towards another on a residential street in West Bromwich, West Midlands. There were no reports of any injuries.

After armed police officers responded to reports of a suspected firearms discharge on a residential street in Stretford, Greater Manchester, three teenage males were arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of drugs and possession of a bladed article. Click on media link to read full report.

A teenage boy has been referred to a youth offender panel for a period of six months after admitting being in possession of an imitation firearm in a public place and being in possession of an article with a blade/sharply pointed article in school. The youth was found with an imitation Glock handgun and a blade at a school in Poole, Dorset in December 2023.

Police officers raided a property in Stoke, Staffordshire and recovered around £200,000 in cash, two Rambo knives, pepper spray, a Taser and suspected stolen e-bikes and motorbikes. A man and woman were subsequently arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession of criminal property.

A man was treated in hospital after being shot in the temple with an air rifle at a property in Hartlepool, Co.Durham. His injuries are not believed to life threatening. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police officers searching two properties in Birmingham, West Midlands found a gun and ammunition at one address and a gun at the other. Two men have since been charged with possession of firearms and ammunition offences.

Following reports of shots fired in Birkenhead, Merseyside, a Section 60 order was introduced, giving police officers enhanced stop and search powers. There were no reports of any injuries.

A man was arrested after he allegedly armed himself with what looked like a gun and demanded money from staff at a pizza restaurant in Swanley, Kent. The following morning, he reportedly threatened workers at a petrol station in the town with a knife before fleeing with stolen cash. He has been chargced with two counts of robbery, theft, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of a knife in a public place.