Armed police in Hampstead gun chase

Published: 4th November, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

ARMED police officers swooped on a Hampstead street after a replica gun that can be converted to fire real bullets was thrown behind a hedge during a dramatic chase.

A police helicopter was called out to assist on Thursday morning, after a youth broke free from two officers who had followed a group acting suspiciously outside Hampstead Heath Overground station.

Police arrested three other teenagers – two males and a female – on suspicion of possessing a firearm at the scene. 

The suspect who fled, believed to be aged 16, is still at large. Forensics officers examined the weapon, a starting pistol popular with criminals, at the spot where it was discarded in Heath Hurst Road to establish whether it had been converted into a firearm.

The street was cordoned off following the incident at around 11am.

One nearby resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It was all very dramatic. I had two armed officers stood outside my door when I came home. It was strange seeing a gun in the street like that. I’m just thankful nobody got hurt.”

Starting pistols can be bought from sporting goods stores and on the internet. 

Last year they made up 40 per cent of guns seized by the Met.

A Camden police spokeswoman said: “A SNT [Safer Neighbourhood Team] officer and a  PCSO spotted them [the group]. They requested assistance and were assisted by two mounted officers plus officers from the response team and BTF [Borough Task Force]. Three were detained. 

“Trojan [firearms] officers came to assist. This is a matter of course if anything that looks like a gun is found. There was never anything to suggest the outstanding suspect was armed. There is no suggestion that the starting pistol had been converted.”

The three teenagers that were arrested have been bailed to return to a Camden police station while officers continue with their enquiries.