Turkish top-venting firearms seized during Operation Radium warrants
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Six warrants executed, seven people arrested, six weapons seized.
In the lead-up to the national firearms amnesty month, officers carried out a series of pre-planned warrants across County Durham as part of Operation Radium.
Six suspected illegally held blank-firing weapons and ammunition were seized, and seven people were arrested under Section 5 of the Firearms Act on suspicion of firearms offences.
All have since been released on police bail while investigations continue.
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “Gun crime in County Durham and Darlington is very rare, but we are not complacent. Tests have shown that top-venting blank-firing firearms can be converted into working firearms, making them now illegal to own.
“The national Turkish top-venting firearms amnesty encourages anyone in possession of blank firers manufactured by BLOW, CEONIC, EKOL, or RETAY to hand them in at their local police station.
“Surrendering these items now could prevent them falling into the wrong hands and being used by criminals.”
If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity, call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.