Gun incidents in Great Britain

An X-ray revealed that a swan, found injured in Newbury, Berkshire, had been shot with an airgun. The swan underwent surgery to remove pellets lodged in her body, one of which was millimetres from her jugular vein. Police have been informed

Following a report that the window of a house and a car had been shot at in Heather, Leicestershire, police officers determined the damage was consistent with a firearms discharge. A man has since been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Michael Snowdon, aged 45, has been fined £120 and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge after admitting possession of a stun gun. The weapon was found at his home in Brandon, County Durham in May 2026.

Police officers responded following reports of a person brandishing what looked like a handgun in Southend, Essex. An imitation gun was seized and a man, arrested at the scene, was later charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and racially aggravated harassment.

It has emerged that a man brandishing an imitation handgun stole £8 from another man in Bury, Greater Manchester in March 2026. The suspect has since pleaded guilty and been remanded in custody. Sentencing has been postponed for reports.

Police are investigating a disorder and a shooting in Willenhall, West Midlands. One man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, while six others were arrested on suspicion of affray.

Liam Manuel, aged 18, has been handed a twelve-month community order, with 50 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis and possession of an electrical incapacitation device. In December 2025, police officers found Manuel  in possession of a number of cannabis vapes. During the subsequent search of his home in Prudhoe, Northumberland, officers found a stun gun disguised as a pen in his bedroom.

Armed police officers responded following a report of a group of people trying to enter a property in Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire. Officers fired baton rounds and used a Taser on an agitated man holding a machete at the address. He was treated in hospital before being detained under the Mental Health Act.

Tyler Camfield, aged 23, has been jailed for five years after admitting possession of a prohibited smooth ball revolver and possession of ammunition when prohibited. In July 2026, police officers calling at Camfield’s home in Knottingley, West Yorkshire on an unrelated matter found a viable, rusty, Italian-made revolver and rounds of ammunition in a bedroom. Camfield told police that he had got the weapon for protection because his house had been previously robbed.

Following reports of gunshots and possible poaching in Purbeck, Dorset, police officers arrested three people on suspicion of poaching offences. Police subsequently confirmed enquiries are ongoing.