Gun incidents in Great Britain

Daniel Blake, aged 41, has been jailed for five years after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and possession of criminal property. In January 2026, police officers stopped a car in St Helens, Merseyside and recovered a Taser, bladed weapons, cash and drugs. During the subsequent search of Blake’s home and a second car, officers seized more drugs and cash, as well as weapons including a loaded Glock pistol.

Three boys were placed under supervision for eighteen months after two of them admitted unlawful possession of an imitation firearm, while the third admitted demanding money from a shop worker and committing a breach of the peace. In October 2024, the youths armed themselves with a replica gun and demanded cash from a shop employee in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. Armed police officers responded and arrested all three youths soon afterwards. The weapon used was found in a garden and identified as an imitation pistol.

Armed police officers were deployed following threats involving a gun being made at an address in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. After securing the property, officers arrested a man suspicion of a firearms offence.

An 18-year-old male from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire was arrested last month on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug, possession with intent to supply drugs, theft of vehicle, possession of a firearm (a Taser) and possession of an offensive weapon (a knife). He has since been banned from entering a property in the town, which is suspected of being used for crime.

It has emerged that, in November 2024, police officers called to a disturbance at a flat in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire found four viable bullets in a safe at the property. A man was arrested at the scene and has since admitted assault, acting in a threatening or abusive manner and possessing ammunition without a certificate

Two cats belonging to the same owner have been shot with an airgun in Birkenhead, Merseyside. After X-rays revealed that a pellet had ruptured the stomach of one cat, she was put to sleep. The other cat is being treated for an ear injury. A spokesperson from the RSPCA appealed for information, adding, “The RSPCA receives hundreds of calls to investigate airgun shootings every year and sadly cats and wildlife are usually the animals most often affected… The animal charity is calling for stricter regulations around owning an airgun in both England and Wales. Better education, basic safety training for owners and a thorough explanation of the law could help protect countless animals from these horrible attacks in the future…”

A 61-year-old man from Birmingham, West Midlands, has been handed an indefinite hospital order and a restraining order after being found guilty of stalking two women. The court heard that the defendant, who has schizophrenia, sent notes and gifts to the women at their place of work, causing them great alarm. He also sent disturbing items to one of them, including an air pistol and handcuffs.

An antique pistol was stolen during a break-in at a man’s home in Warrington, Cheshire. A man and a woman have since been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Jevonte O’Connor, aged 19, has been jailed for three years after admitting possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, dangerous driving, possessing an offensive weapon and drug offences. In October 2024, police officers recovered a discarded shotgun after pursuing a stolen car in Luton, Bedfordshire. The occupants of the car fled but O’Connor’s DNA was found on the weapon. In January 2025, police officers searched O’Connor’s home and seized phones, cash and drugs.

Police officers responding to reports of a man with a gun in North Walsham, Norfolk recovered a replica weapon. A man was arrested the suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm. No injuries were reported.