Man arrested after BB gun found in bush

Officers located the BB gun in a bush and arrested a 38-year-old man in Worksop

Police have issued a warning after officers found what initially looked like an assault rifle in a bush.

Officers were called to Goldsmith Road in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, just after 11:15 BST on Thursday following reports of a man carrying a gun.

Officers located the discarded weapon - a BB gun - and arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and later on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

The force said it would issue a "robust response" to imitation firearm owners if they carried these weapons in public.

PC Zak Haynes said: "Thankfully for everybody concerned, the weapon seized during this incident was an imitation firearm, as opposed to a viable one.

"Nevertheless, this should serve as a warning to anyone who carries a BB gun, air gun, or other type of imitation firearm, that reports of this nature will be treated with the utmost seriousness and prompt a robust police response.

"Brandishing any kind of firearm in a public place is an incredibly serious offence and will always be met with swift action by Nottinghamshire Police."