'You know it's not real - but others don't' - Police urge people to 'think twice' before carrying BB guns after urgent 999 call in Cannock

Armed officers responded to reports of a man 'holding a handgun' at Cannock Park, Stafford Road on Saturday (February 14). 

The man was found and promptly arrested but was later de-arrested and given words of advice after officers discovered it was a BB gun.

Officers also detained a 14-year-old boy who had a Desert Eagle replica toy gun in the area. It was seized and the boy was spoken to in front of his parents.

Now, police are urging people to 'think twice' due to the fear it can cause to the public. 

Chief Inspector Lee Walker, from the Cannock local policing team, said: “These types of calls impact on our resources and can put you in very dangerous situations.

“Our officers are trained to a high standard to deal with these incidents in an appropriate, lawful and proportionate manner.

“Our armed officers will deploy to any person who is believed to be carrying a firearm to ensure the safety of the public and communities of Staffordshire.

“While you will know that you’re not carrying a real gun, those around you don’t. That includes police officers and concerned members of the public who will see you as a threat, especially if you’re in a park or an area where there are lots of people.

“We’re reaching out to young people, parents and schools to ensure the message that anyone carrying a toy gun or BB gun in public are very likely to face armed officers, and that’s a situation we want to avoid.”