Over 700 Illegal Guns Seized in Massive UK Crackdown
More than 700 firearms have been confiscated in the UK after a huge five-year operation spearheaded by the National Crime Agency (NCA). The crackdown targeted illegal imports of easily convertible guns, working alongside Spain’s Guardia Civil, UK police, Border Force, and international partners.
Project Vizardlike: A Cross-Continental Sting
- Since 2019, Project Vizardlike has tackled the flow of forward-venting blank firearms (FVBF) — guns that look like real weapons but are illegal to possess or import in the UK.
- These cheap, convertible blanks are favoured by criminals because they can intimidate victims or be turned into lethal firearms.
- 703 firearms seized, 74 arrests made, and 50 convictions secured during the operation.
- 133 properties searched across the UK as part of the crackdown.
Charles Yates, NCA Deputy Director, said: “Each of these 700 firearms had the potential to fall into the wrong hands and be used by criminals to further their offending or, at worst, take a life.”
Dangerous Guns Stopped at the Border
The NCA worked hand-in-hand with Border Force to intercept weapons sent via parcels and post, mainly from mainland Europe. Fast intelligence sharing with European partners meant most guns were stopped before hitting UK streets.
Among the serious cases:
- 11 incidents involved firearms sent to people with mental health issues.
- Seven involved extremists posing potential terrorism threats.
- Four cases uncovered links to drug supply chains, explosives, and even a machine gun seized from a suspect.
- A shocking discovery was 26 firearms stored at a man’s home — some in his toddler’s bedroom — leading to an 11-year jail term.
International Cooperation Cracks the Gun Trade
The Guardia Civil’s parallel Operation Diana identified suspicious sales in Europe, helping take action in nine countries, predominantly against UK buyers.
Spanish law now demands stringent rules to sell these guns, including police clearance and verified IDs, cutting off UK buyers from loopholes previously exploited.
National Firearms Targeting Centre (NFTC) head Roy Godding warned: “Gun crime in the UK remains relatively low, but the demand for illegal firearms continues. Their supply devastates public safety and crime perception.”
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe praised the collaboration: “This operation shows what we can achieve with international partners to protect our communities from illegal firearms.”
Border Force Chief Operating Officer Steve Dann added: “Together with the NCA, we’ll continue to smash the illegal gun trade and bring offenders to justice.”
How You Can Help
The NCA urges anyone with information about illegal guns or ammunition to contact the police or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
