Four held as cops swoop over shooting
55 OFFICERS IN 7.30AM RAIDS ON SIX HOMES
FOUR people were arrested as police carried out a series of early-morning raids following a Radford shooting.
Thirty-five uniformed officers and 20 detectives were involved in the raids, which took place at six addresses across the city.
The co-ordinated raids took place at 7.30am at homes in Radford, St Ann’s and Bulwell.
They were part of a week-long investigation by police to catch those involved in last Friday’s incident in Tennyson Street, when a gun was fired at about 6pm.
No-one is believed to have been injured.
Chief Inspector Simon Allardice said of the raids: “It has been a successful operation.”
A SERIES of early-morning raids in the city yesterday was designed to catch suspects in a shooting – and drive home the message to young people who are carrying guns and using them on the streets.
Detective Inspector Kim Binns, who led the operation, said: “There are so many people in the community that are hardworking and good people that do not deserve to have their lives disrupted and put at risk by small groups.
“We will do everything within our power to bring them to justice.”
The raids, which took place at 7.30am, were “directly linked” to reports of a gun being fired in Tennyson Street, Radford, last Friday
DI Binns said: “It has been a long week of investigation to get us to this point. It is the fact that people think it is acceptable to be discharging firearms at 6pm on a Friday evening. It is totally unacceptable. It is an appalling way to behave.
“We are doing everything to identify those involved. We have got a grip on what this is about.”
While DI Binns said she could not divulge key details of the investigation as arrests had been made, she said that some firearm incidents had “a rivalry element” and “a drugs element” to them.
The raids – which took place in areas including St Ann’s and Radford – involved 35 police officers and 20 detectives.
Police were looking to recover mobile phones, clothes and firearms. Young people from under 18 to early 20s were targeted.
A 21-year-old man and three boys – two aged 16 and one aged 15 – were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Four other people – aged 33, 23, 16 and 16 – had previously been arrested in connection with the incident.
Police say they are keeping an open mind on whether the Tennyson Street incident was linked to a shooting that took place at Lotus Close in St Ann’s at 5pm on Thursday, July 26. Officers were called to a report of a man suffering a gunshot injury to his leg.
Chief Inspector Simon Allardice, based at St Ann’s Police Station, said of yesterday’s raids: “It has been a successful operation. The purpose of the raids is to arrest people as part of the ongoing investigation and the best time to catch someone is before they leave the house in the morning.”
He said that homes were searched for clothing and weapons linking the suspects back to the incident in Tennyson Street.
He said police were keeping an open
Together we will root out anyone who seeks to disrupt our communities Ch Insp Simon Allardice
mind if any of the recent shooting incidents in the city were related.
He added: “There have been a number of incidents – and the community will be concerned – but we take these incidents seriously. They are not acceptable and they will not be tolerated.
“We are encouraging any member of the public that has any information in relation to young people involved with weapons to report this to the police.
“Together we will root out anyone who seeks to disrupt our communities.”
MP for Nottingham East Chris Leslie, who covers the Radford area, said: “In the past five years it has felt as though Nottingham has turned a corner in terms of its reputation on gun crime.
“Sadly, in these last few months we have seen some hardcore corners of the city where this is part of the culture and criminal underbelly.
“This level of lethal behaviour is totally unacceptable.
“It is not an epidemic but it is at a level where it needs a firm fist from the police to crackdown on those who are toying with gang and gun crime. We don’t want that back in Nottingham.”
He commended the police’s earlymorning raid tactics, adding: “It’s a firm approach. This is a matter of life or death. We have to crack down on the carrying of knives – but firearms are more likely to cause danger to the community.”
MP for Nottingham South Lilian Greenwood, who covers St Ann’s, said: “I’m very concerned about recent events in the Radford area but I know Nottinghamshire Police are working hard to reassure the community and bring those responsible to justice.”