Teen locked up after heroic police officers wrestle gun from him in Great Barr

Two heroic police officers wrestled a loaded gun from a teenager during a stop and search at a petrol station in Great Barr.

The teenager had the gun hidden in his waistband but was arrested as he tried to flee from the officers who had discovered the Colt.41 revolver.

The drama unfolded when police, who were in the area following reports of a robbery, spotted a blue BMW driving into the Asda on Old Horns Crescent, Queslett, and park next to a pump.

The driver got out to fuel and an officer who was approaching the car smelt cannabis.

Officers searched the BMW, which was carrying three people, for drugs but as one of the PCs searched the 16-year-old, who had his hands on the car roof, he felt what he thought was a gun in his waistband.

He called to another officer ‘Gun!’, and the teenager tried to flee but slipped and fell.

Police quickly restrained the teen and a Colt .41 revolver loaded with five live rounds of ammunition was pulled from his trousers.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition and sentenced to three years custody at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.

Officers from West Midlands Police presented evidence and intelligence linking the youngster to a number of other crimes in the area.

It meant he was also handed a criminal behaviour order lasting three years which bans him from associating with a number of named criminals, having multiple mobile phones or having any vehicles that he has not told police about.

He is also banned from parts of north Birmingham and Great Barr.

The two other men in the car were dealt with for possession of a knife and possession of cannabis following the arrests, which happened at around 12.30am on November 15 last year.

Dc Ian Leech, from the complex investigation team, said: “The officers were in the area following reports of a robbery, and decided to follow this car.

“Thanks to excellent police work and the bravery of these officers, a loaded gun has been taken off the streets of the West Midlands.

“Gun crime is a priority for West Midlands Police and our officers work tirelessly to pursue those who think it’s acceptable to use or carry firearms.”

Last year, West Midlands Police recovered 144 illegal firearms.

Officers are also carrying out targeted patrols in areas which have been affected by gun crime, as well as working with the community to gather intelligence on those involved.

Anyone with information on gun crime in their community can speak to officers on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.