Moment police swoop on teen with imitation gun

Footage has been released of police officers tackling a teenager dressed in tactical clothing with "a handgun" as he was walking near thousands of football fans.

In audio played over the footage, a member of the public called 999 and told operators: "There's a guy walking out the front of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in full tactical gear and a gun on his hip and he's absolutely not a police officer."

The video then shows unarmed officers run towards the 16-year-old and tell him to get to the floor, before taking the firearm, which they later discovered was an imitation handgun.

The teen told police he was dressed in costume and that he was on his way to a comic convention.

The street, Fulham Broadway, was crowded at the time, as football fans were leaving nearby Stamford Bridge where Fulham had just played Chelsea on Saturday, 30 August.

Unarmed police removed what they thought was a gun from a holster

The arrest came after reports of someone in military-style clothes, including a helmet and what appeared to be a handgun in a holster as well as a bag used to carry longer weapons.

Police quickly confirmed that the weapons were imitations and discovered that they were brightly coloured when bought and had been sprayed black to make them look more realistic, according to the Met.

The 16-year-old has admitted possession of imitation firearms and has since been referred to the Youth Offending Team for consideration of an appropriate out of court disposal.

Inspector Rob McDonald, match commander for the fixture, said: "This was a highly unusual and extremely concerning incident which occurred at the worst possible time."

'Incredible bravery'

Insp McDonald praised the unarmed officers who spotted the suspect and "acted spontaneously and with incredible bravery".

He said: "They tackled him to the ground to secure the firearms without thought for their own personal safety, only that of tens of thousands of football fans in the immediate area."

Commander Adam Slonecki, who was in charge of policing across London on the day of the incident, added that dressing up as characters where weapons or armour were involved should "ideally take place in organised environments where it is obvious to everyone what is going on".

He added: "Wandering around in public, particularly in crowded places, while carrying these items is irresponsible.

"While those taking part may know their weapons aren't real, the public do not and nor do our officers."