THIS is the dramatic moment a squad of cops swoop on a prowling “gunman” outside a train station brimming with football fans.
A number of 999 calls were made about the suspect after he was spotted wearing tactical gear and carrying a “gun” on Saturday, August 30.
Metropolitan PolicePolice received a number of calls from panicked members of the public[/caption]
Metropolitan PoliceThe teen suspect was wrestled to the ground and restrained[/caption]
Metropolitan PolicePolice officers recovered an imitation firearm from his hip holster[/caption]
Officers swooped on the teen suspect outside Fulham Broadway tube station just moments after the Fulham vs Chelsea match ended.
Cops wrestled the 16-year-old to the floor and seized the gun – which turned out to be an imitation firearm.
Footage of the arrest was shared by the Met Police showing the moment the teen was tackled.
In a brief 999 call before the arrest took place a member of the public is heard warning police: “I’m sure it’s nothing nothing but there’s a guy walking out the front of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in full tactical gear and a gun on his hip.”
“He’s absolutely not a police officer. He’s got a gun in a holster on his hip and he’s in full tactical gear with a face mask on.”
Armed officers were scrambled to respond to the incident but unarmed officers responded “given the potential risk.”
Footage shows a squad of uniformed officers rushing up to the teen as he makes his way along the street.
The lad was wearing all black gear and a helmet and was seen carrying what appeared to be a gun bag, on his back.
Several members of the public raised the alarm about the weapon holster on the teen’s hip.
The squad of coppers can be seen in the footage grabbing the lad and wrestling him onto the concrete, pinning his arms in place.
One policeman secures the gun in the teen’s holster and throws it to the side.
Cops can be heard shouting “get the firearm safe” as terrified onlookers watch the dramatic scene unfold.
The teen was arrested and taken in for questioning where he explained that he had been attending a nearby comic convention and was in costume.
He admitted possession of imitation firearms and has since been referred to the Youth Offending Team for consideration of an appropriate out of court disposal.
Metropolitan PoliceCops tackled the teen as he made his way along the road[/caption]
Metropolitan PoliceA search of the boy revealed an imitation pistol[/caption]
Inspector Rob McDonald, Match Commander for the fixture between Chelsea and Fulham, said: “This was a highly unusual and extremely concerning incident which occurred at the worst possible time.
“The match had not long finished and 40,000 spectators were leaving the stadium when information was received about a person dressed in black tactical clothing, wearing a ballistic helmet and carrying firearms heading towards a major transport hub.
“The unarmed officers who spotted the suspect acted spontaneously and with incredible bravery.
“They tackled him to the ground to secure the firearms without thought for their own personal safety, only that of tens of thousands of football fans in the immediate area.
“This incident highlights the bravery and selflessness of our police officers who come to work every day to keep the public safe.”
Metropolitan PoliceThe youth later said he was in costume for a nearby comic convention that he had been attending that weekend[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
