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Armed police raids after reports of gun being waved in car

From the Worcester News, first published Friday 22nd Sep 2006.

ARMED police raided two homes in Worcester after reports of a gun being passed around a group of people driving through a city housing estate.

The firearms officers were supported by police dogs when they raided the homes in the early hours of Wednesday.

It followed a report from a member of the public in Cranham Drive of a weapon being passed around the occupants of a silver Peugeot 206, containing a woman driver and three male passengers.

Chief Insp Iain Bailey, of south Worcestershire police, who oversaw the operation, said five people were arrested and two weapons found at separate addresses during the raids, which were made between 1.55am and 2.28am.

Two of those arrested - Michael Gardner and his fiancee Laura Wyke - who were later eliminated from inquries, have criticised the police raids.

But Chief Insp Bailey said: "Any report of the use of firearms, whether replica or real, being seen, or in this case clearly brandished inside and outside the vehicle, will bring a positive police response.

"This is necessary in order to reassure the public, protect police officers and ensure that weapons are removed for everyone's safety as quickly and effectively as possible.

"Officers cannot make a proper judgement on whether items are genuine or replica until they are literally in their hands. We take reports of firearms very seriously and have to be thorough in our investigations. This takes time."

Meanwhile, Mr Gardner and Miss Wyke, aged 27, have told how they were awoken by a "massive" thump at their flat door in Nibley Close, Warndon.

Mr Gardner, aged 31, said: "They dragged my girlfriend out of bed and pinned us down. There was lots of shouting and screaming and she was in tears.

"They told us to stay down or they would shoot. It was terrifying. They took us to the police station and wrecked the flat. We've had carpets pulled up and all the furniture was overturned."

After being held in separate cells for 13 hours, both Mr Gardner and Miss Wyke were released from custody without being charged.

The three other people arrested - a woman and two men - were bailed to return to Worcester Police Station while enquiries continue.

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