Bed-bus ‘used for prostitution’ discovered with substances, gun and ammo inside
The bus had been converted for a number of people to sleep in, and had become a ‘hub for prostitution and drug use’ in Bushbury, Wolverhampton
The ‘bed bus’ was parked up in Kipling Road, Wolverhampton
A ‘bed bus’ was found to be harbouring drugs, a pistol and shotgun cartridges on a city street. It is believed that the bus was allegedly being used for sex work, which police are now investigating.
The vehicle, modified to accommodate multiple people inside, had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour in Bushbury, Wolverhampton. Local residents soon became disgruntled, as the bus soon began to blight their local community, with seemingly nothing being done.
Last week, police finally took action to remove the bus, which had been stationed on Kipling Road. Now, it has been revealed that a whole host of illegal substances was hiding inside the vehicle.
West Midlands Police reported that the ‘bed bus’ was breaking a host of road rules. According to their initial investigations, the van was not insured, showed signs of prevalent drug use, and was allegedly being used for prostitution in various forms.
Preliminary searches of the bus on Friday (January 30), led to a firearms warrant being given by a local judge, according to Birmingham Live. Armed officers subsequently inspected the vehicle, uncovering a pistol and four shotgun cartridges.
The self-loading pistol is thought to be a blank-firing weapon, according to assessments from firearms experts. However, despite its initial harmlessness, it was revealed that the gun could be modified into a functional firearm.
Such a weapon can also mimic a real firearm, and possession of it is illegal. The firearm and ammunition were promptly confiscated, along with a suspected stash of class A drugs, the force confirmed.
The bus has also been impounded and will undergo further examination as investigations proceed. Insp Martin Danher commented said that probes into how the van was stationed in the area are ongoing, adding that a collaborative effort across various forces helped to bring the operation down.
He said: “This was an involved piece of work from one of our dedicated neighbourhood officers and the local team with support from firearms officers. The bed bus has been misused and instead has been used as a hub for crime and ASB, a firearm and ammunition have also been taken off our streets.”
This is the latest incident to plague the West Midlands area, after a yob went on an alcohol-fuelled “rampage” at a Toby Carvery. Customers were seen fleeing the establishment as he tore the building up whilst under the influence of vodkas, attacking two female workers in the process.
Chad Pulisciano admitted he was “a bit p****d” when he arrived at the restaurant on Stratford Road in Hall Green at 7am on the date of the fateful attack. The 33-year-old was later jailed for four and a half years at Birmingham Crown Court last week.
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