A man self-presented at a hospital after being shot in the back in Liverpool, Merseyside. No arrests have yet been reported.

Police officers Tasered a man for “his and police officers’ safety” following a concern for welfare report at a property in Bournemouth, Dorset. Click on media link to read full report.

As part of an investigation by the National Crime Agency, armed police officers supported the arrest of a man on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of firearms in Liverpool, Merseyside. Click on media link to read full report.

Sam Norfolk, aged 31, has been jailed for eighteen months after pleading guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and two charges of assault by beating. In May 2023, Norfolk verbally abused the owner of a restaurant in Clifton, Bristol before punching a customer who intervened. Norfolk returned to the restaurant later the same evening, threw a chair at the owner and pulled up his T-shirt to reveal the handle of a gun. After police officers arrested Norfolk, they recovered two imitation firearms from his home.

Armed police were deployed following a report of a person carrying a suspected air weapon in Caerphilly, South Wales. After a search involving a force helicopter, two teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm in a public place.

Steven Nelson, aged 35, has been jailed for fourteen months after pleading guilty to possession of an imitation firearm to cause fear of violence and assault on an emergency worker. In March 2023, after Nelson was seen wandering along the side of the M1 in South Yorkshire, a police officer closed the road and approached him to offer help. Nelson pointed what was believed to have been a firearm at the officer and also at armed police officers called in to support. Nelson went on to spit and attempt to bite the officers after being detained and put into a police car. It was subsequently discovered that he had been pointing a piece of aluminium.

After two teenage males allegedly brandished what was described as a handgun at a shop in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, they were arrested for attempted robbery and possession of a firearm. There were no reports of any injuries.

The family of a man whose body was found at his home in South East London have said that he took his own life after struggling with the pain of arthritis and cancer. While sources reported that he shot himself in the head with a Glock 9mm pistol, the Metropolitan Police have not confirmed this, saying only that the death is being treated as unexpected and is under investigation.

Stephen Alderton, aged 67, has been jailed for life after pleading guilty to two counts of murder. In March 2023, Alderton used his legally-held shotgun to fatally shoot two men, a father and son, at their respective homes in Sutton and Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire. The attacks came after the younger victim opposed an application by Alderton’s daughter to take their son to live in America. Alderton was arrested early the following day.

Ashley Cleary, aged 39, has been jailed for 21 years after being found guilty of kidnap, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, threatening with an offensive weapon, kidnap and seven counts of rape. In December 2022, Cleary abducted a man in Salford, Greater Manchester after showing him what looked like a handgun. He raped his victim several times in an alleyway and once at his home, shouting homophobic abuse throughout the attacks. He then put the gun to the man’s head and threatened to “smoke him” if he told anyone. Cleary was arrested after being found hiding in the loft at his home.