Terrifying moment a gang of teenagers rampaged through a city centre brandishing guns

 

• Shoppers fled in terror as gunmen strode through Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
• Chilling images show one man holding a black handgun in firing position 
• Another CCTV scene captures one teenager pointing the air gun at the floor
• Tests showed weapons were BB guns - three teenagers have been arrested

This is the terrifying moment a gang of teenagers rampaged through a packed city centre brandishing guns in broad daylight.

Shoppers fled in terror as the marauding gunmen strode through Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday afternoon, pointing their weapons at random members of the public.

In chilling images released by police today, one of the three young men can be seen strolling through a pedestrianised area of the city, holding a black handgun in a firing position.

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This is the terrifying moment a gang of teenagers rampaged through a packed city centre brandishing guns in broad daylight. One of the group can be seen holding a black handgun in a firing position (left) while another is seen pointing the air gun to the ground (right)

Another picture shows one of the gang, who is wearing a white top, pointing the air gun at the floor. 

After several calls from members of the public, armed police officers, a police helicopter and dog-handling units swooped on the town where they arrested three teenagers and 27-year-old man. 

Tests later revealed that the group had been carrying BB guns. The 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds have now been bailed pending further inquiries, while the older man was released without charge.

Chief Inspector Mark Smith, from Staffordshire Police, said anyone carrying air guns would be treated as if they had a real weapon.

He added: 'The decision to deploy firearms officers is never taken lightly and when armed officers are deployed they are authorised to use the tactics and weapons they have.

'If an individual is believed to be in possession of a firearm we have to take the appropriate action. We cannot take the risk of not sending firearms officers.' 

Residents described their fear as they saw the group walking through the centre with what they believed were firearms.

Sam Wakefield, 25, works in nearby as a shop assistant, was having a cigarette outside when the suspects were arrested. 

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Shoppers fled in terror as the marauding gunmen strode through Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday afternoon, pointing their weapons at random members of the public.

He said: 'I looked down the walkway and saw two guys lying on the floor. One had a dog in his face.

'One of the lads was barking at the dog. It was a bit crazy.'

Matthew Thomas, 25, added: 'I saw the group messing about and my first thought was that they had a real gun. 

'I didn't make a scene but I just quickly walked into a shop and went to the back just in case something happened. 

'I had my daughter with me and it doesn't bear thinking about what she might have thought if she saw them. 

Shopper Richard Oates, 36, said: 'I went outside when I heard all the commotion.

'I was told it was kids messing around with BB guns. They can look like real weapons so it was scary for anyone in town.'

Chief Inspector Smith added: 'We appreciate the public will be concerned when they see firearms officers responding to an incident but our response is always carefully considered.

'Anyone who chooses to carry BB guns, or imitation firearms, needs to understand they could be challenged by firearms officers.

'They could be faced with a real firearm pointed at them and an officer shouting instructions. The officers have to make a split second decision about whether a threat is real.

'The actions of people carrying such weapons for fun causes fear among other people. It is not a game.'