A post-mortem examination has confirmed that a man, found dead in a field in Plungar, Leicestershire earlier this month, died of a gunshot wound. The victim’s death is being linked to that of another man who passed away after police stopped his vehicle on the A52 in Nottinghamshire. A firearm was discovered in his car. A man, arrested on suspicion of the murder of the first man, has since been released under investigation.

Following reports that a man had been seen putting a suspected gun in his pocket in the town centre of Ipswich, Suffolk, police officers seized an imitation weapon and arrested the man on suspicion of carrying an imitation firearm. Click on media link to read full report.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has ruled that officers involved in an incident, during which a man was Tasered and subsequently died, did not commit a criminal offence. Police officers attended an address in Braintree, Essex in November 2022 following reports of a disturbance. After a man allegedly assaulted an officer and resisted arrest, he was Tasered. Paramedics were called in after the man became ill but he died at the scene shortly afterwards. Following the ruling, a spokesperson from the IOPC said, “We found no indication that the actions of any officers involved in this incident justified the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or that they had committed a criminal offence.”

Following reports of drug dealing in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, police officers charged two men and two teenage boys with drug offences. One of the teenagers was also charged with assaulting an emergency worker and being in possession of an imitation firearm.

Bernard Oliver, aged 45, has been jailed for four years and four months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of a prohibited weapon. Police officers arrested Oliver in Oldham, Greater Manchester in December 2022 after receiving a safeguarding concern from a primary school. Ten snap bags of suspected cocaine were found on his person, while more drugs, a Dan Wesson silver CO2 BB Revolver, another BB gun, four rounds of imitation ammunition, an expanding police-style baton and a butterfly knife were recovered from a safe at his home address.

A taxi driver in Rhyl, Denbighshire has reported that his vehicle was shot at with an air rifle causing “quite severe damage”. The taxi was occupied by passengers but fortunately neither they nor the driver were injured. Police have appealed for information.

During a raid at a property in Bilston, West Midlands, police officers recovered drugs, a gun and suspected ammunition. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing a firearm and ammunition, and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Following a report that a man had threatened two people with a suspected gun in Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, police officers arrested a man on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. No injuries were reported.

It has emerged that, in October 2023, two men entered a shop in Camden, North London before one of them allegedly threatened staff with what looked like a handgun and the other stole a number of items. Shortly afterwards, the same offenders and another man carried out a second armed robbery at a shop in Islington. This time, the group reportedly waved a handgun, knife and hammer at members of the public before stealing goods. Police have issued a description of two of the suspects and appealed for information.

Marcin Swiatek, aged 39, has been handed a suspended 21-month prison term and ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or harm. In April 2022, Swiatek cut in front of another car whilst driving on the M6 near Warrington, Cheshire. After the other driver beeped her horn, Swiatek pointed an imitation gun at her and her passenger. Police officers arrested Swiatek at his home and recovered the BB gun used. Both victims have reported significant psychological impacts.