Armed police swoop on house after boy shot

The 11 year-old boy was injured with a BB (ball bearing) gun in Second Avenue at around 11am on Thursday last week, leaving him with a bruised leg.

An hour later police were called to the Newhaven Polyclinic after staff reported seeing someone with what they believed was a gun in the grounds.

David Jones, locality manager at the centre, said: 'There were three youths walking through our grounds and one of our staff members noticed one of them was carrying what looked like a gun.

'They thought it would be best to report that to the police.

'The police responded very promptly and came and checked it out and I understand they made some sort of arrest.

'The staff member was concerned and, as with any sort of concern they followed the set protocol.'

He said it was thought the youngsters were taking a shortcut through the grounds.

Police said when they arrived the suspects made off but officers found they had gone to a nearby address.

Armed police from the force's tactical firearms unit gained entry to

the house where they found three BB guns.

Police have now arrested three teenagers for possession of an imitation

firearm. One of them was also arrested for assault.

PC Matt Holt of Newhaven Police warned against the use of BB guns. He said: 'While BB guns can be purchased perfectly legally we would advise parents not to buy them for their children as they have far-reaching serious consequences.

'As in this case, if someone shoots a person with a BB gun they will be arrested for assault.

'We have to take every reported firearm very seriously and armed police will be called out carrying weapons and obviously there are consequences to their actions.'