APPEAL FOLLOWING FIREARMS INCIDENT IN CANNOCK

We’re urging people to think twice before carrying BB or toy guns in public after armed officers responded to a concerning 999 call in Cannock.

On Saturday afternoon (14 February), we were called to Cannock Park on Stafford Road following a report of a man holding a handgun.

Armed officers quickly went to the scene and found the man. He was originally arrested but was later de-arrested and given words of advice after officers discovered it was a BB gun.

Officers also detained a 14-year-old boy who had a Desert Eagle replica toy gun in the area. It was seized and the boy was spoken to in front of his parents.

Chief Inspector Lee Walker, from the Cannock local policing team, said: “These types of calls impact on our resources and can put you in very dangerous situations.

“Our officers are trained to a high standard to deal with these incidents in an appropriate, lawful and proportionate manner. We will deploy to any person who is believed to be carrying a firearm to ensure the safety of the public and communities of Staffordshire.

“While you will know that you’re not carrying a real gun, those around you don’t. That includes police officers and concerned members of the public who will see you as a threat, especially if you’re in a park or an area where there are lots of people.

“We’re reaching out to young people, parents and schools to ensure the message that anyone carrying a toy gun or BB gun in public are very likely to face armed officers, and that’s a situation we want to avoid.”