Police rushed to a supermarket car park after four men were spotted with firearms – which later turned out to be imitations.
An armed response was called to Sainsbury’s in Biggleswade just before 1am yesterday morning (Thursday) after a passing lorry driver saw what he described as a man holding a machine gun. Staff were still working in the store.
The officers found four men in possession of a small amount of cannabis, an imitation BB gun and two BB pistols. Their two vehicles were also secured and searched.
The offenders are aged 19, 20, 21 and 21 and from the Shefford and Langford area. They were arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession of an imitation firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
They were taken to Greyfriars Police Station in Bedford and they were awaiting questioning at the time the Chronicle went to press.
Detective superintendent Paul Coombes from Bedfordshire Police repeated warnings about the dangers of carrying imitation weapons as offenders could find themselves on the receiving end of a real armed response.
He said: “The public are increasingly aware of the potential for firearms in our midst and quite rightly call the police whenever they see something resembling a gun.
“Whether this gun is an air weapon, or a BB gun, or a genuine firearm, our response is the same as officers will not know whether it is a real or imitation firearm until they seize it.
“And while they are highly trained, the potential for an imitation firearm to be mistaken for a real firearm is a real possibility.”
He added; “BB guns are made to be identical to real guns in colour, size and detailed appearance. “While they are capable of firing only small plastic ball bearings, their resemblance to a real firearm has prompted many calls to the police from people who believe they have seen someone carrying a real gun in a public place. Our advice is always, keep BB guns at home.”