A man has been charged after police uncovered a Thompson submachine gun and more than 100 rounds of ammunition during a firearms raid in Birmingham.
Anthony Patterson, 44, of Alexandra Avenue, was arrested following the discovery earlier this month in Handsworth. He has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition without a certificate and is due to appear in court today.
The raid was carried out by West Midlands Police as part of Operation Target, a force-wide initiative aimed at dismantling serious and organised crime networks and removing illegal firearms from the streets.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed:
“During a warrant executed in Handsworth, officers recovered a Thompson submachine gun — a rare and highly dangerous firearm — alongside more than 100 rounds of compatible ammunition. The weapon has been sent for forensic examination.”
Operation Target has led to multiple weapons seizures and arrests in recent months, reflecting growing police efforts to clamp down on gun crime in the region.
Detective Inspector Steve Walters, leading the operation, said:
“This is a significant recovery and shows the serious threat posed by illegal firearms in our communities. We are committed to taking action against those who bring weapons and violence onto our streets.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and police continue to appeal for information about illegal firearms. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact West Midlands Police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
