A man has been arrested after ten guns and what's described as "a large amount of ammunition" were found during police raids in both Cumbria and Lancashire.
The 49-year-old was arrested in Holme, in South Cumbria, shortly after 7am today (Wednesday), in a joint operation led by Titan - the North-west regional organised crime unit, with help from Cumbria Police and the National Crime Agency.
Three search warrants were executed at the same time - at the man’s home address in Holme, a farm outbuilding in the Milnthorpe area, and at a lock-up garage in Morecambe.
He was arrested for firearms related offences, at his home address, where officers found a loaded handgun, a loaded revolver, and a pistol.
During the search in Milnthorpe, two sawn-off pump-action shotguns were seized along with three disassembled shotguns, two disassembled bolt-action rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Forensic examinations at the three addresses are continuing.
Detective Superintendent Jason Hudson, head of operations at Titan, said: “Today’s arrest and firearm seizures are a great result for the police and the community. We have taken ten dangerous weapons out of circulation and our enquiries are continuing into how they were obtained. Local officers from Cumbria have worked side by side with detectives from Titan, with support from the NCA to carry out a highly successful operation.
“I understand that people who live in these areas will be shocked and perhaps unnerved when they hear about the seizure of these weapons. However it is positive news that they have been removed from the community as firearms such as this can pose a very real danger if used illegally.
“Titan exists to target and take apart serious organised crime groups throughout the North-west and beyond and I am grateful to our colleagues in Cumbria and the NCA for helping to make this morning’s operation a significant success.”
Detective Superintendent Andrew Slattery from Cumbria Constabulary said: “Intelligence officers from Cumbria have been working with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to identify those involved in the possession of unlawfully held firearms and today’s operation has been the culmination of this.
“We appreciate the work done by Titan and the National Crime Agency to date and await the outcome of the on-going investigation. Residents of South Cumbria need not be alarmed by today’s events as there is no indication that members of the public were at risk in any way.
“The operation currently being conducted is an illustration of the commitment of Cumbria Constabulary and its law enforcement partners to keeping the community safe from organised crime in all its forms.”
Craig Watson, Armed Operations Unit, National Crime Agency said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between law enforcement agencies in the North West.
“It displays the benefits of utilising the different specialist skills of the partners involved and highlights the NCA’s mission to pursue dangerous individuals who are engaged in illegal firearms activity.”
