Teen arrested in London over imitation firearm could have been going to comic convention

A 16-year-old boy who was arrested in west London for possessing an imitation firearm may have been on his way to a comic convention, police have said.

The teenager was stopped by unarmed officers on Saturday afternoon after the Metropolitan Police received reports that a boy carrying a weapon was walking towards a crowded area on Fulham Broadway.

Police said in a statement published on Saturday evening the boy was in fact holding a "realistic-looking imitation firearm" and no one was injured as a result of the incident.

"An investigation has begun into the circumstances, however, one line of inquiry is that the boy was on his way to a comic convention," the Met said in their statement published on X.

"We strongly advise people against sharing misinformation and images of anyone who has been arrested," the force added.

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