Armed police storm Gatwick practice after experiences of ‘youth carrying a firearm’
British Transport Police have confirmed they were called to reports of a “youth was potentially carrying a firearm” on a train as armed officer were called to the scene
Armed police swarmed a Thameslink service at Gatwick station (file)(Image: PA)
Armed police were called to a Thameslink service heading towards Brighton after reports were made of a youth potentially carrying a firearm on the train.
British Transport Police confirmed they were called at around 1.30pm today (June 24) to the reports of a passenger carrying a potential firearm and boarded the train at Gatwick with some officers being armed.
Some passengers reported about the incident on social media and said train doors remained closed when it arrived at the station, before armed police boarded.
The same passenger said armed police urged them and others to move further down the train while they dealt with reports made.
British Transport Police said they removed four teenagers from the train to conduct a search. The results of the search found a imitation firearm, which is believed to have sparked the calls.
Police arrested one of the teenagers on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm.
They also reassured passengers that there is not any threat to the public.
In a statement, the British Transport Police said: “Officers were called at around 1.30pm today (June 24) to a report that a youth was potentially carrying a firearm.
“Officers responded alongside armed police and four teenagers were removed from the train for the purposes of a search.
“One was arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm, and there is not any threat to the public. Enquiries are ongoing.”
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