Three teenagers were arrested at Derby’s Derbion shopping centre after CCTV operators spotted what appeared to be a handgun being passed between the group
Three teenagers have been arrested in a Derby shopping centre after it was reported that a group had a ‘gun’.
Shortly after 5.30pm on Tuesday (April 7), CCTV operators at Derbion shopping centre alerted police following the sighting of a young man, dressed in black and wearing a balaclava, carrying what they believed to be a small handgun.
The CCTV operator revealed that the gun was being shared amongst the suspect and other young men, who took turns tucking the weapon into their waistbands, making it plainly visible to the public, who also reported it to security.
Armed officers were dispatched to the scene, and moments before their arrival, unarmed officers and Derbion security apprehended the teenage boys.
The weapon was discovered to be an imitation firearm and not genuine. Three people were arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm, reports Derbyshire Live.
Despite being a toy, the weapon was described by firearms officers as a scaled-down version of the handgun they carry, easily confused for a real weapon.
Superintendent Richard Lambert said: “I would first like to thank the CCTV operator and security staff from the Derbion centre.
“They worked quickly to ensure that members of the public were kept safe and ensured officers were able to swiftly arrest these three teenagers.
“While thankfully only a toy – both the security team and members of the public were seriously concerned about the possession of this item and did exactly the right thing in contacting us.”
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