Cadet rifles recalled over fears they will fall to criminals

Almost 10,000 deactivated weapons to be handed in after it is revealed they can be converted to fire again

DEFENCE chiefs have urgently recalled decommissioned rifles from insecure cadet units amid fears they could be converted and turned into weapons used by criminals and terrorists, it has emerged.

In a letter seen by The Daily Telegraph, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has warned that almost 10,000 rifles used by cadet units “were not deactivated according to Home Office guidelines [and] have the potential to be converted to live firers”.

The letter, sent by Headquarters Regional Command, refers to a breakin and theft of a number of so-called “drill purpose” weapons. It calls for units, as a matter of urgency, to inform the command centre, based in Aldershot, how long it would take to move the weapons to “alarmed armouries”.

The recall of the weapons is thought to have been triggered by the theft of firearms from a Fife cadet unit, based in a wooden hut, in May last year. Three training rifles were taken in the theft.

The weapons had been kept in a cadet centre in Newport-on-tay in a hut with little security.

Police tested the weapons, which were recovered in the summer, and discovered they could be easily turned back into live assault rifles “with the right tools and knowledge”, at which point the MOD was informed, leading to the urgent recall.

Drill purpose rifles – converted live weapons with various parts cut out and welded up – are issued to cadet units across the country and are usually stored in their huts, often with minimal security.

Cadets use the weapons for parade drill and rifle training practice.

However, as a result of police action, the MOD realised their cutting and welding failed to meet legal deactivation standards. This resulted in all cadet drill-purpose rifles, numbering almost 10,000, to be reclassified as live assault rifles and prohibited under the Firearms Act 1968.

The imitation firearms were stolen from the Newport-on-tay unit last year by Sean Barclay, 28, a former cadet. He smashed a window and fled with the rifles before stashing them in woods down a single track lane near a farm.

Barclay was jailed for a separate offence and while in prison smuggled out a hand-drawn map showing where the weapons were hidden.

Police later raided an apartment and discovered the map.

His lawyer admitted that Barclay had planned to sell the guns and he was jailed for eight years when he appeared in court on Tuesday.

The weapons resembled the Army standard issue SA80 rifle.

Police Scotland warned that the rifles could have been converted to fire live ammunition.

In a statement, Det Insp Christopher Mill said: “The theft and circulation of illicit firearms is completely unacceptable and when it occurs, Police Scotland will take proactive steps to curtail this activity and bring those responsible to justice.

“While these were training weapons, they have the capacity to be converted into viable weapons, which could have caused real harm to the public.

“Thankfully these weapons were recovered and ultimately posed no risk to the Newport-on-tay community.”

A police source said: “The weapons were analysed by Police Scotland internal experts in the firearms unit.

“They discovered that with the right tools and knowledge the firearms could be repurposed.”

The MOD confirmed that the letter to recall the rifles had been sent out but declined to comment further.

‘While these were training weapons, they have the capacity to be converted into viable weapons’