Teenage boy, 17, admits having firearm and ammunition following proactive police stop

A potentially lethal firearm has been taken off the streets by officers from our city proactive team after a teenage boy pleaded guilty in court.

A 17-year-old, of Cannock, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday (10 January) and admitted possession of a firearm and possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.

Proactive officers stopped a Fiat Punto in Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, on 24 June last year following reports it was being driven erratically. After searching the inside, we found a machete and a BB gun.

A further search of the vehicle then uncovered a handgun from a cavity inside the driver’s door and bullets. Officers arrested the boy and found three cars keys in his possession, one of which was to the Fiat.

DNA checks on the gun’s trigger and guard area returned matches for the boy, who was charged with the offences and taken to court.

He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 19 February.

Detective Sergeant Marc Proctor from our city proactive team, said: “This weapon was capable of causing serious harm and has rightfully been taken off our streets through some proactive policing work in the local community.

“We’re compiling intelligence every single day as part of our continued fight against organised criminal gangs across Staffordshire, and I can assure local communities that robust enforcement will come against those causing harm to the people we proudly serve.”

Since we launched our organised crime crackdown in May 2023, we have arrested more than 1,000 people suspected of weapon and drug offences.

To report a crime, call 101 or use Live Chat on our website.

Always call 999 in an emergency.