Gun incidents in Great Britain

Police officers found an airsoft gun after responding to reports of a fight outside a block of flats in Newport, South Wales. The find was made a day after three teenagers were injured with an air gun in woodland behind the same block of flats. Police do not believe the incidents are connected.

Alex Bird has been handed a thirteen-month custodial sentence after admitting robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, criminal damage and two breaches of the sex offender register. He is expected to be released immediately, having already served time on remand. In October 2024, after having a conversation with a woman he knew at her home in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Bird refused to leave when requested. After eventually going, he returned within minutes and fired an imitation rifle at the woman’s crockery and at her windows. The robbery occurred in February 205, when Bird snatched a woman’s mobile phone after becoming involved in a domestic incident between a friend and the friend’s partner. The breach of the sex offender register relates to Bird’s failures to register his address with police as required.

Two men in balaclavas reportedly forced entry into a house in Felixstowe, East Suffolk before one of them pulled “a handgun-shaped firearm” from a pizza box. The second man was allegedly armed with a knife. The victim suffered cuts to her face and hands during the incident, after which the men fled. No arrests have yet been reported.

A cat is to undergo surgery to remove an eye after being shot with an air weapon in Pontypool, South Wales. The cat has been left with a pellet lodged at the back of his skull. His owners say they are aware of similar incidents involving local cats. Police have appealed for information.

Police officers responded to reports of a suspected firearms discharge following a disturbance in Stockport, Greater Manchester. Officers subsequently raided three properties and arrested six men: five, on suspicion of affray and, the sixth, on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

A teenage boy was treated in hospital after being shot at a park in Birmingham, West Midlands. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. No arrests have yet been reported.

Police officers responding to reports of a fight and gunshots in Camberwell, South London, found a teenage boy had suffered a gunshot wound. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening. Later the same evening, two men self-presented at a local hospital with injuries connected to the altercation. No arrests have yet been reported.

One of a group of men allegedly shot a teenage girl and two teenage boys with an airgun in Newport, South Wales. All three suffered minor injuries from the pellets. One of the boys required hospital treatment after he was also reportedly physically assaulted. No arrests have yet been reported.

A cat was injured after being shot with an air rifle in Shrawley, Worcestershire. Police have appealed for information.

Police officers seized cannabis, eight prohibited dogs, thirteen counterfeit Glock-style firearms, thirteen extended magazines and 640 rounds of ammunition from a property in Enfield, North London. The dogs had injuries consistent with fighting. A man has since been charged with thirteen counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, possession of offensive weapons in both a public and private place, possession of a Class B drug and animal cruelty offences.