Teen arrested after suspected gun sighting in Norwich
Police respond swiftly to firearm report in city centre
A teenager was arrested in a busy area of the city centre after a member of the public tipped off police that he was carrying a gun.
Officers arrested the man by The Forum in Norwich after they were alerted that an individual had been seen with what was thought to be a firearm in nearby Haymarket.
He was reportedly tackled by police before being arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm and assault.
The alarm was raised shortly after 1pm on Thursday when a witness arrived at Bethel Street to report the sighting.
Officers on patrol nearby as part of a Project Servator deployment, a UK police tactic designed to disrupt crime and terrorism, arrived at the scene and arrested the man.
Norfolk PCC praises officers
Colin Sutton, Norfolk’s Reform police and crime commissioner, was with officers when the arrest unfolded, and hailed their response.
“I happened to be there observing this afternoon and found myself in the presence of real bravery,” he said.
“What these young officers do for the people of Norfolk should never be under-estimated. We are really, really lucky to have them keeping us safe.”
It is the latest flashpoint to emerge from the Haymarket area, where teenagers have been known to congregate at weekends and clash with police over anti-social behaviour.
The arrest follows a string of previous incidents, including a baseball bat brawl that left one boy with facial injuries and another four arrested.
A police spokeswoman confirmed: “A member of the public attended the Public Enquiry Office on Bethel Street at 1.22pm today to report that they had seen a man with what they believed to be a gun near to the Haymarket.
“Officers on patrol as part of a Project Servator deployment arrested a man aged in his late teens on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm and assault.
“He has been taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where he remains.”