MARCH
2012 - New Incidents
GCN compiles
an on-going list of incidents involving guns. Click on the
link to view the original article.
We know that our information
is incomplete. The number of incidents in our lists is between 10
and 15 percent of the total number of firearms offences recorded in Home
Office and Scottish Government figures, though we believe nearly all of
the most serious crimes are being included. Your help in collecting more
information would be greatly appreciated. If you have any information
about an incident please contact us by email
contact@gun-control-network.org.
Please see
our explanation of
why we highlight incidents involving air weapons.
Quick jump
to Injuries (England),
Incidents Causing Fear
(England), Other Incidents
(England),
Scotland,
Wales,
Incidents Involving Animals
ENGLAND
Deaths
BBC News,
4 March 2012
Police
shot and killed a man during a planned operation in Culcheth,
Cheshire. Armed officers reportedly stopped the vehicle he was driving.
The man died of a single gunshot wound to the chest while he was in the
driver's seat of a car that was stolen but had no weapons (BBC
News, 8 March 2012).
Injuries
Cornish Guardian,
31 March
2012
A man was
shot in the head with an airgun in
Lostwithiel, Cornwall. Police said the victim was shot with an
air pistol that was recovered, and he was taken to hospital where he was
held in a 'serious and sedated condition'.
BBC News,
29 March
2012
A man was
shot in the head and arms in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The
victim was reportedly taken to hospital and in critical condition
following surgery. Police reportedly are pursuing witnesses and believe
the incident was a targeted attack that resulted in three gunshots
fired.
BBC News,
28 March
2012
A man was
shot with an air rifle while working
up a church tower in Ipswich, Suffolk. The victim was reportedly
hit in the back of the head and treated in hospital, while the weapon
and offender were not located.
Liverpool Echo,
26 March
2012
A man was
reportedly shot in the street in Bootle, Merseyside. Following
the incident, police arrested a man on suspicion of possessing a
firearm. Officers said members of the public reported hearing the shots,
but they were unable to locate the victim, who was reported to have been
shot in the buttocks and legs.
BBC News,
24 March
2012
A
22-year-old man was shot in Nottingham. Police said he was
treated in hospital for the gunshot wounds and later discharged, as
officers have begun their investigation.
Docklands and East London
Advertiser,
21 March
2012
Three men
were wounded in a pair of shooting incidents on the Isle of Dogs,
east London. Police confirmed that the weapon in the first incident was
a sawn-off shotgun, and suspect gang
violence is responsible for both shootings. The second attack was
carried out with a sub-machine gun and left the victim in a coma (BBC
News, 24 March 2012).
Huffington Post,
12 March
2012
A woman
was shot after apparently being caught in the crossfire of a gunfight in
Peckham, southeast London. Police said she was taken to hospital
for treatment on the gunshot wound and her condition was declared
stable.
BBC News,
11 March
2012
A
22-year-old man was shot in the leg in High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire. Police said the attacker knew the victim, who was taken
to hospital for treatment.
Manchester Evening News,
10 March
2012
A man was
shot in the arm at a pub in Northern Moor, Manchester. His injury
is not thought to be life threatening and police have identified a
suspect.
This is Hull and East Riding,
8 March 2012
A man was
shot in the face by an air rifle in
Hull. The victim, who was on his regular shift emptying bins for
Hull City Council, was shot by someone believed to be in a nearby
building. Police said they arrested one man while another suspect fled.
Initial reports indicated the victim was hit in the eye, but as the
pellet struck just outside his eye the injury was less severe (This
is Hull and East Riding, 10 March 2012).
Liverpool Echo,
7 March 2012
A man was
shot outside his home in Orrell Park, Merseyside. He sustained injuries
to the arm, body and leg from a
shotgun attack but as the attack happened at a distance the
injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.
Haringey Independent,
6 March 2012
A man has
been arrested and charged with shooting another man during an incident
in Tottenham, north London. A fight involving four men reportedly
took place, with one victim being shot and released from hospital 11
days later. The police suspect has been charged with possession of a
firearm and with shooting the victim, while a second man is charged with
grievous bodily harm after stabbing another victim.
Leicester Mercury,
5 March 2012
A
nine-year-old boy was shot in the back with a
BB gun in Leicester. The boy was reportedly hit while
walking to a shop near his home, causing bruising between his shoulder
blades.
Click Liverpool,
4 March 2012
A man was
shot in the legs outside a pub in Kirkby, Merseyside. Police said
the victim sustained multiple injuries from a
shotgun attack but was in a stable condition in hospital.
News and Star,
1 March 2012
A
16-year-old apparently assaulted police officers in Cumbria while
high on drugs. Two officers reportedly sustained an attack from the teen
which included being scratched, kicked and punched. They then shot the
teenager in the testicles with a stun gun
in order to subdue him. The teenager was hospitalised and a metal
bar -- part of a the taser -- was removed from his groin.
INCIDENTS CAUSING FEAR
Bournemouth Echo,
31 March
2012
A shooting
incident took place in Parkstone, Poole. Police said a gun was
fired inside a property but no one was harmed. The weapon used was
apparently a sawn-off shotgun and a
man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Blackpool Gazette,
31 March
2012
An armed
robber invaded a home in Marton, Blackpool and threatened
a man with a gun. The perpetrator allegedly pointed a
sawn-off shotgun in the face of one
of the occupants of the house before escaping with cash.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
30 March
2012
A shot was
reportedly fired from a car in a residential area of Huddersfield.
Police arrested a suspect and charged him with possessing a firearm with
intent to cause unlawful violence. No one was injured but the gun was
not recovered from the incident.
Sunday Sun,
30 March
2012
An armed
man apparently forced a stand-off with police at a house in South
Gosforth, Newcastle. Police reportedly then detained the suspect and
arrested a man on suspicion of threats to kill as well as other firearms
offences.
Wiltshire Gazette and Herald,
30 March
2012
A man
reportedly threatened to fire a gun at a pub in Manton,
Wiltshire. The threat resulted in police locking in the workers and
customers of the pub, as well as staff and pupils of a nearby primary
school, while officers pursued the suspect. Police then detained a man
who lives alone and is understood to have a psychiatric illness.
Lancashire Telegraph,
29 March
2012
Three
people reportedly threatened a woman with a gun at her home in
Burnley, Lancashire. Police said they initially arrested three men
on suspicion of using a firearm with intent to cause fear, but had so
far eliminated one from the investigation.
Telegraph and Argus,
29 March
2012
Police
arrested a 19-year-old man suspected of carrying a gun through the city
centre in Bradford. Officers said the weapon was an
imitation firearm, and the suspect
was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to
endanger life.
Basildon Recorder,
28 March
2012
An armed
man robbed a shop in Wickford, Essex. The assailant reportedly
threatened two staff members with a gun and escaped with cash and
cigarettes.
East London and West Essex
Guardian,
28 March
2012
Three
armed men robbed an elderly couple in their home in Woodford Green,
northeast London. The men allegedly threatened the couple with a gun,
tied them up and physically assaulted them before fleeing.
Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle,
28 March
2012
An armed
robber pointed a gun at staff at a bookmakers in Hammersmith,
west London. The victims escaped to a back room, prompting the robber to
flee on foot.
Worcester Standard,
27 March
2012
A man
robbed a bookmakers at gunpoint in Worcester. The assailant
threatened a member of staff before escaping with cash.
BBC News,
24 March
2012
Four
people were arrested after a group of men in Oldham, Mancester
were seen brandishing a gun. Police said they recovered a
BB gun and arrested four men, which
included two teenagers aged 17 and 19, on suspicion of firearms
offences.
Herts and Essex Observer,
20 March
2012
A
nine-year-old boy was shot with a BB gun
in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. He was hit with a pellet as
he played with friends and was uninjured, apparently as a result of
being hit from a distance. Police located plastic pellets on the ground
but did not locate any suspects.
BBC News,
20 March
2012
A gun was
fired into the window of a restaurant in Birmingham. Police said
the blast did not hit anyone and they recovered the bullet casing for
investigation.
This is North Devon,
19 March
2012
Police
arrested a man on suspicion of making threats to kill in Bideford,
Devon. Officers raided a home to respond to a domestic incident before
capturing the man and recovering a BB gun.
Burton Mail,
17 March
2012
Two armed
robbers threatened staff at a restaurant in Burton,
Staffordshire. The assailants reportedly pointed what appeared to be a
gun at the victim before stealing cash and escaping.
Luton Today,
16 March
2012
Three men
held up a taxi driver in Luton, Bedfordshire. One of the men
reportedly threatened the driver with a gun and demanded cash, and the
three men then escaped on foot.
Mirror,
14 March
2012
A woman
suspected of possessing a bomb was arrested after an eight-hour siege in
Saltburn, Redcar and Cleveland. The woman was spotted with
suspicious items and police negotiators and specialist officers
eventually captured the suspect and disposed of her suspected weapon.
Bucks Free Press,
13 March
2012
A firearm
threat was allegedly made in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
Police said no shots had been fired during the incident, in which a
member of the public was threatened with what may have been a gun.
Shropshire Live,
12 March
2012
Three men
carried out an armed robbery in Lower Rudge, Shropshire. Police
said the men entered a home and threatened two residents with a gun
before stealing three high-value vehicles as well as an expensive supply
of jewellery from a house.
Manchester Evening News,
9 March 2012
Armed
robbers threatened a woman in her home in Rochdale, Manchester.
The victim was home with a friend when the assailants entered and
pointed a gun at her, demanding jewellery and money. She allegedly
refused to cooperate and after a struggle the robbers fled empty-handed.
Echo News,
9 March 2012
Police
ended a three-hour standoff with a man in Grays, Essex by
shooting a man with a stun gun. The
man had fled from officers into a pub, where he told staff and customers
that he had a gun. He was arrested on suspicion of making threats to
kill and criminal damage.
Hucknall Dispatch,
9 March 2012
A bus was
attacked in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. A frightened member of the
public said she ducked for cover when the bus was 'shot at', while staff
of the bus company asserted the bus may have been shot at by a
BB gun but that couldn't be
confirmed.
York Press,
9 March 2012
Police
were called after a man was spotted carrying a rifle at a train station
in York. Police said the man was legally carrying two replica
firearms and since he was a collector, no arrest was made. An offence is
only committed if a person has a replica weapon in public 'without good
reason'.
Leigh Reporter,
8 March 2012
Two armed
men robbed a store in Lowton, Devon. The men reportedly
threatened staff with a gun and an axe before escaping with cigarettes
and cash.
Halesowen News,
8 March 2012
Police
were contacted after gunfire was heard in a neighbourhood in Oldbury,
West Midlands. Officers investigated and no one was reported injured
during the incident.
Manchester Evening News,
7 March 2012
Shots were
fired at a man in Dukinfield, Manchester. Police said a group
waiting in a car shot several times at the victim as he visited a
friend, but did not hit him with any of the shots. The group apparently
then abandoned the car nearby.
Northampton Chronicle,
7 March 2012
Three men
were arrested after being spotted with guns in Northampton.
Police surrounded a van containing the three suspects and all were
arrested on suspicion of possessing imitation
firearms.
News Shopper,
6 March 2012
Three men
attempted to rob a jewellers in Penge, southeast London. The men
reportedly threatened staff with a gun and a knife, but when the victims
took cover behind a security door the perpetrators left empty handed.
Oxford Mail,
6 March 2012
A man
reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in Oxford. A suspect was
arrested and charged with possessing an
imitation firearm and criminal damage.
Dunstable Today,
5 March 2012
A
man was arrested and charged with robbery and possession of an
imitation firearm in Luton,
Bedfordshire. The man is alleged to have robbed a store with the
imitation gun two weeks prior to his arrest.
Liverpool Echo,
5 March 2012
A man was
arrested in Wirral, Merseyside and charged with six counts of
robbery. The suspect is alleged to have committed the robberies across a
string of stores with an imitation gun.
He has also been charged with six counts of possessing an imitation
firearm while committing an offence, three counts of possessing a knife
and one count of possessing an offensive weapon.
Bournemouth Echo,
3 March 2012
Two men
reportedly grabbed and threatened a 69-year-old man with a
BB gun in Poole, Dorset.
The assailants stole his wallet and escaped. A man was later
arrested after two men allegedly robbed a shop with
an imitation firearm in nearby
Upton, though it is not clear whether the incidents are related (Bournemouth
Echo, 5 March 2012).
Herald Series,
3 March 2012
A gunman
held up a shop in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The suspect allegedly
threatened a member of staff with a firearm before escaping with cash.
Soon thereafter, police arrested a suspect in connection with the case.
The Argus,
3 March 2012
A man was
robbed in Brighton by an attacker who threatened to shoot him.
The victim alleged that the robber indicated he had a gun in his pocket
before stealing the victim's phone and escaping.
East London and West Essex Guardian,
2 March 2012
Two armed
robberies were carried out in Walthamstow, east London, with a
trio of perpetrators alleged to be responsible. Police arrested three
men and charged each of two counts of robbery and two counts of
possessing a firearm.
Liverpool Echo,
2 March 2012
Two men
have been charged with carrying out an armed robbery in Prenton,
Merseyside. The alleged perpetrators are reported to have robbed a store
by threatening staff with an imitation firearm
and a knife.
Hampshire
News,
2 March 2012
A man in
Crookham, Hampshire reportedly threatened a group of teenagers
with a shotgun. The man apparently
narrowly avoided hitting one of the teenagers while driving. The man
then allegedly became verbally abusive before going into his car and
brandishing a single-barrelled shotgun.
Cambridge News,
2 March 2012
A man was
reportedly spotted with a gun in Cambridge. Police said they were
called to reports that a man had a gun and was even firing the weapon,
but they were unable to locate any firearms.
Northampton Chronicle,
1 March 2012
A bus
driver was threatened at gunpoint and punched in the face in
Northampton. The robber took money off the driver after assaulting
him and then escaped.
Liverpool Echo,
1 March 2012
Three men
armed with a knife and a gun robbed a shop in Prenton,
Merseyside. The men threatened staff and escaped with cash and
cigarettes. However, police officers nearby arrested three suspects and
charged them with the offence, also recovering a gun, knife and the
stolen items.
Greenock Telegraph,
1 March 2012
A man
robbed a taxi driver at gunpoint in Larkfield, Kent. The man
reportedly threatened the driver with a firearm and escaped with cash.
Mix 96,
1 March 2012
A man was
reportedly robbed at gunpoint in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The
victim told police a man threatened him with a gun as he was closing his
restaurant and stole his phone and bag.
BBC News,
1 March 2012
Two men
robbed a taxi firm worker at gunpoint in Sonning, Berkshire. The
men reportedly threatened the staff member with what was believed to be
a firearm and then tied him up before searching the building and
escaping.
Other Incidents
The Sun,
29 March
2012
Police
officers in Manchester were demoted after a photo emerged that
they took playing around with a police shotgun.
The officers were taken out of the Tactical Firearms Unit after the
force admitted the behaviour did not measure up to its professional
standards.
The Argus,
28 March
2012
Police
recovered a handgun after a man brought it into a court building in
Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The elderly man apparently entered the
building with the pistol in his shopping bag before being arrested.
BBC News,
26 March
2012
Police
recovered a handgun and a rifle from a car in Northumberland.
Officers reportedly arrested three men, a woman and a 14-year-old boy on
suspicion of illegally possessing firearms.
Derby Telegraph,
24 March
2012
A
shotgun was recovered in a raid by
police in Mapperley, Derbyshire. A man was arrested on suspicion
of possessing the shotgun without a licence and possession of drugs.
Surrey Comet,
24 March
2012
A member
of the public spotted a handgun in Battersea, southwest London.
Police said the gun was found on an estate with a recent history of gang
crime.
BBC News,
23 March
2012
Police
recovered an air pistol, a crossbow
and drugs from a flat in Oldham, Manchester. Officers arrested a
21-year-old man on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply
but no arrests relating to the weapons were reported.
Watford Observer,
22 March
2012
Police
responded to reports of a man with a knife and a gun in South Oxhey,
Hertfordshire. Officers reportedly arrested the perpetrator on suspicion
of affray, but later released him without charge.
Romsey Advertiser,
21 March
2012
An
automatic pistol was found in the woods by three girls aged 9 and 11.
The girls were walking in Braishfield, Hampshire when they
stumbled upon the gun. Police later confirmed that the weapon was an
imitation gun.
The Argus,
20 March
2012
A man was
arrested in a pub in Brighton as police officers recovered a
stun gun. The suspect was charged
with possessing the illegal firearm as well as cannabis resin.
Brentwood Weekly News,
19 March
2012
A member
of the public found a handgun and ammunition inside a hollowed-out tree
trunk in Basildon, Essex. The firearm was turned in to police who
are investigating its history.
Scarborough Evening News,
8 March 2012
Police
reportedly recovered 177 guns between 2009 and 2011 in Scarborough,
North Yorkshire. The figure includes firearms of all types, although
police said the number of guns seized dropped from 80 in 2010 to 46 in
2011.
Leicester Mercury,
3 March 2012
A
shotgun was found in 'lying in the
street' in Leicester. Police recovered the firearm, which they
said was discovered by a member of the public and appeared to have been
there for a lengthy period of time.
Evening Gazette,
3 March 2012
Police
recovered a handgun upon stopping a taxi in South Bank,
Middlesbrough. Four men were arrested after officers stopped the taxi
and three of them are charged with possessing the firearm.
Swindon Advertiser,
1 March 2012
Police
recovered firearm ammunition and drugs during a raid in Swindon,
Wiltshire. A team of 30 officers reportedly carried out the raid,
arresting a man and charging him with possession of ammunition without a
certificate as well as possession of drugs.
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh Evening News,
30 March
2012
A man died
from gunshot wounds on a housing estate in Edinburgh. Police said
they believe the victim took his own life after firing multiple
gunshots.
BBC News,
19 March
2012
A gun was
reportedly fired in Dyce, Aberdeen. Police said they arrested and
charged an 18-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman before releasing the
pair pending further investigation.
Daily Record,
9 March 2012
A man was
shot and killed at his home in South Lanarkshire. The victim, 45,
was pronounced dead at the scene after being gunned down with a
shotgun on his doorstep in what
police said was a targeted attack.
Paisley Daily Express,
2 March 2012
A woman
was taken to hospital after she was shot in the head in Paisley,
Renfrewshire. She was apparently shot after stumbling across two people
in an argument, and it is believed that an
airgun was used to shoot her at close range.
WALES
Campaign Series,
28 March 2012
Two men
were arrested after someone allegedly carried out an armed robbery in
Caerphilly. The two suspects are charged in connection with robbery
and possession of a shotgun, where
they allegedly stole a large amount of money from a local scrapyard.
South Wales Evening Post,
26 March 2012
Three
youths were reportedly spotted firing an air
rifle in Neath. The teenagers allegedly fired the gun
at birds in a public park, prompting a member of the public to contact
police.
South Wales Argus,
23 March 2012
A man
armed with a handgun and a knife held up a store in Newport. The
assailant allegedly threatened a shopkeeper with the weapons and then
attacked him, leaving the victim with minor injuries. The perpetrator
then escaped on foot.
Daily Post,
6 March 2012
A
nine-year-old boy was shot four times with a BB
gun in Prestatyn, Denbighshire. He was left with
severe bruising after apparently being shot by friends he was playing
with that had the gun.
Wales Online, 5 March 2012
A man was
spotted with a firearm in a supermarket near Rhyl, Denbighshire.
Police attended the incident and arrested one suspect, in addition to
recovering an imitation firearm.
INCIDENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS
Droitwich Standard,
30 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an airgun in
Droitwich, Worcestershire. A pellet was reportedly lodged in her
stomach for a day before she collapsed and died.
BBC News,
30 March
2012
Someone shot
and killed a seal in Lancashire. Police said the autopsy may lead
to clues about the perpetrator's identity, but it was clear the animal had
been killed by firearm.
Farmers Weekly,
30 March
2012
A man shot
and killed a dog in Faversham, Kent that he feared was worrying his
sheep. The farmer reportedly used his shotgun
to fire two shots at the pedigree dog to protect his flock.
Clydebank Post,
26 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the chest with an airgun in
Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. The pet reportedly was shot and in
pain for weeks before undergoing surgery to remove the pellet.
Craven Herald,
23 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the neck with an airgun in
Skipton, North Yorkshire. The pellet went through his neck and
lodged in his shoulder bone, but he survived after undergoing surgery.
Hinckley Times,
23 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the leg with an air rifle in
Hinckley, Leicestershire. The pet survived but had to have his
front leg amputated.
Western Morning News,
22 March
2012
A farmer
shot and killed a dog in Perranuthnoe, Cornwall. The dog was one
of two canines that reportedly attacked three cows on a dairy farm.
This is Wiltshire,
22 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the side with an air rifle
in Calne, Wiltshire. The wound was severe enough that she
couldn't immediately undergo surgery, but she is expected to recover
after eventually receiving treatment.
South Wales Argus,
22 March
2012
An owl was
shot in a sanctuary in Ebbw Vale, Wales with was believed to be
an airgun. The bird was found dead
with a wound to the skull, after the sanctuary owner reportedly heard
shots fired.
Blackburn Citizen,
21 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the tail in Darwen,
Lancashire. The animal was allegedly shot with an
airgun a week after six ducks and a goose were shot in the
same area (Blackburn Citizen,
10 March
2012).
Kent Online,
20 March
2012
Passengers
at a train station in Dover witnessed a pigeon get shot out of
the sky. Southeastern rail service reportedly had the bird shot as 'pest
control' and acted legally, although a spokesperson admitted they should
have done so at a time when passengers weren't present.
Henley Standard,
19 March
2012
A dog
owner whose pet went missing discovered it had been shot and killed in
Highmoor, Oxfordshire. The dog's body was found by a farm worker
with 80 gunshot pellets in his abdomen.
Warrington Guardian,
19 March
2012
A cat was
shot in the tail in Padgate, Warrington. The cat underwent a
successful operation to remove the pellet after being attacked by
someone with an air rifle, causing a
swollen wound.
Blackburn Citizen,
10 March
2012
Six ducks
and a goose were shot and killed in a public park in Darwen,
Lancashire. Police said someone was spotted shooting the birds with an
air pistol. The ducks were pets belonging to a member of the
public (This
is Lancashire, 13 March 2012).
Wigan Today,
9 March 2012
A cat was
shot with an air rifle in Wigan,
Manchester. The animal was apparently shot in the spine just two months
after he was shot a previous time.
Luton Today,
8 March 2012
A cat was shot with
an airgun in Sundon
Village, Bedfordshire. The animal underwent extensive surgery after
his wounds caused damage to his bowel, abdomen and intestine.
Daily Mail,
8 March 2012
A cat was
shot nine times with an air rifle in
Timperley, Manchester. The assailants apparently lured the pet
with food, then blasted it in the skull, spine, leg, back and stomach.
Despite his severe wounds, the cat managed to survive after hospital
treatment.
Kent Online,
8 March 2012
Teenagers
in Kingsnorth, Kent reportedly shot frogs and toads with an
airgun. A member of the public allegedly found the youths
shooting the amphibians with an air pistol, leaving them mutilated and
dying in the street.
Western Telegraph,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire. The animal
was left with a pellet lodged in its lung and died later the same day.
Luton Today,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot and killed with an
air rifle in Luton, Bedfordshire. The 15-year-old
cat's owners found him unable to move with three air rifle pellets
lodged in his body. He had to be put down shortly thereafter.
Hull Daily Mail,
7 March
2012
A cat was
shot at close range with an
air rifle in Woodmansey, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Police said the non-fatal shooting follows previous incidents of cats
being poisoned in the area.
York Press,
6 March
2012
A cat was
shot with an
air rifle in York. The owner of the animal said it had
undergone an operation after a pellet was lodged in its skin.
Mix 96,
4 March 2012
A cat had
to be put down after being shot with an air
rifle in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The pet was found with pellets
lodged in his lungs.
