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Police seize fake guns

Kathryn Ryan
6/ 3/2008

MORE than 800 imitation guns have been seized in Salford after an action day by police.

The haul, which included replicas of ME 38, Beretta pistols, semi automatics, M16 machine guns and fake full bore rifles, came from just three stores in Lower Broughton.

They were seized as part of a county-wide scheme to tackle businesses selling realistic imitation firearms and weapons.

As part of the initiative, called Operation Peregrine, police held a day of action against these firms to remind them of new legislation preventing the sale, manufacture or import of imitation or replica firearms.

In Salford police and trading standards officers visited three stores in Rugby Street and recovered a haul of 858 imitation weapons - more than 150 from Direct Trading, around 300 from Unistar and around 350 from G3 Toys (UK).

Abdul Rahimi, from G3 Toys, where the Beretta pistols were seized from, said the replicas sold particularly well in school holidays and said he was unaware the toys were illegal.

He said the seizure would cost him thousands of pounds.

Mr Rahimi, 28, of Cheetham Hill, said: "It’s all old stock. I did have them on sale but I didn’t realise they were illegal.

"They had sold very well up until the first months of this year, when business has been bad. They sell well in the school holidays."

No one was arrested but staff were warned about the new legislation and officers will monitor the premises.

Anyone failing to abide by the new laws faces jail or a £5,000 fine.

Greater Manchester Police officers are trained to treat all sightings of guns as the real thing and firearms units are sent out to reports of people carrying what look like real guns.

As part of the operation anyone with an imitation firearm can hand them in to police stations throughout March.

All plastic guns reclaimed will be recycled by a charity called His Church, with the proceeds going towards funding humanitarian help in war-torn countries.

Detective Chief Inspector John Lyons said: "We are determined to get all guns off our streets.

"Preventing the illegal trading in guns is one of the ways we are doing this.

"These visits to dealers will reassure them that they are adhering to the new legislation and ensure that they continue to do so.

"Other ways we are helping rid our communities of guns are the gun hand-in and a public awareness campaign aimed at making people aware of the dangers of owning a fake or real gun.

"There are very few people who have good reason to own or carry any type of firearm, real or fake. Hand them in now and help make our county safer for everyone."

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