‘3D gun’ raid police have to backtrack

The seizure, initially described as “a really significant discovery”, was part of a heralded crackdown on organised crime, Operation Challenger, launched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

But hours later GMP released a second statement about the raid in which Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: “We need to be absolutely clear that, at this stage, we cannot categorically say we have recovered the component parts for a 3D gun.”

That statement came after the shop owner whose premises were raided wept as he proclaimed his innocence.

The 38-year-old pony-tailed businessman was released on police bail an hour after answering questions by officers over the alleged “gun” parts.

Police raided his model-making shop yesterday, confiscating his 3D printer, and hours later told the media that officers had seized what they suspected to be a 3D plastic magazine and trigger which could be fitted together to make a viable 3D gun.

But speaking on condition of anonymity, the shop owner “Andrew” said the supposed trigger and magazine for bullets were actually parts of the printer – which he uses to make models.

His shop was closed yesterday. Police had seized his computer and other equipment, and he was having to turn away customers.

In tears, he said: “I’m angry, disappointed and hurt. This could kill me, this could threaten the business. [The officers] came in and said ‘We have got a warrant to search this premises’. They accused me of making gun parts.”

He said two police vans and 30 officers swarmed over his shop and he was taken to a police station and held for questioning.

Presented with the “trigger” and “magazine”, he explained one was a spool and the other another part of the printer, to which he said the officer replied: “Oh! OK.”

Andrew said he is a member of a legitimate gun club for which he has identification, and all his weapons are legally held.