Gun Busted in West Hampstead After Armed Taser Takedown
Police Nab Suspects Carrying Firearm on Abbey Road
Armed cops swooped on West Hampstead Wednesday night after getting intel about a gun on the move. The Specialist Crime South team, backed by the firearms unit, stopped a vehicle on Abbey Road, NW8, and found a loaded firearm hidden in a backpack in the front passenger foot well.
Man Tasered During Arrest, Both Held in Custody
A 40-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman inside the car were arrested for possession of a firearm. Officers had to deploy a Taser on the man as he was detained. He received treatment for a facial injury at hospital but has now been discharged and is in police custody. Both suspects remain locked up at a north London police station.
Detective Says Recovery Prevents Potential Violence on Streets
“When we receive intelligence that someone is in possession of a firearm, we take it extremely seriously as there poses a significant risk to the public and my colleagues,” said Detective Sergeant Peel of the Specialist Crime South proactive team.
“Luckily, no officers were hurt during the operation. Recovering this weapon means it won’t be used on our streets. This is just one example of the work our officers do day in, day out to keep London’s communities safe from gun crime.
“We sometimes have to use tactics like the Taser to safely secure the situation and retrieve the firearm. No officer wants to deploy it, but it was necessary this time. The man arrested did not suffer serious injuries and remains in custody.”
