Firearms seized as body found in Staffordshire village
A man has been found dead in a house at a quiet Staffordshire village and firearms seized at the scene by police.
Officers were called to the village of Armitage with Handsacre, near Rugeley, following reports that a body had been discovered there.
Two women, aged 39 and 60, were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. The pair, both from the Rugeley area, were later released on police bail.
Staffordshire Police said the man's death is being treated as unexplained and the coroner was being informed of the incident.
Officers also said that while carrying out a forensic examination at the house in Millmoor Avenue, firearms that were suspected of being illegally held were found and seized.
Police were called to the house just before 9.30pm on Friday evening.
Residents in the usually quiet village say they have been left stunned by the death.
Councillor Eric Jackson, the Armitage with Handsacre Parish Council vice chairman, said rumours were flying around the village about the tragedy but no-one really knew much about what had happened, although it had left people saddened.
He also called for people to respect the family of the dead man and leave them to grieve in peace.
He said: "We are quite shocked that something like that has happened here.
"We don't know any details at all, but we are quite saddened. We are very much in the dark over this.
"There is some speculation about the identity of the person."
He added: "We would ask that the relatives are left to grieve in peace at what must be a very sorrowful time for them.
"It is very unusual for something like this to happen in this area. It is a lovely village and the people are lovely."
People in several pubs in the area also said they were unaware of what had happened.
Staffordshire Police said the man's death is being treated as unexplained and the coroner was being informed of the incident in order for investigations in the circumstances to be carried out.
Staffordshire Police have not yet revealed the identity of the dead man.
They said his family have been informed of his death.
Anyone with any information about the incident or who has any concerns has been urged to contact officers looking into the case on 101, quoting incident number 732 of September 12.
