Armed police called to A1(M) bridge after report of a 'long-barrelled gun' - but it was just a lorry spotter

Armed police were called to a flyover of the A1(M) earlier this week after a member of public spotted a man with a gun.
By Jonathan Pritchard
Published 23rd Dec 2021, 06:58 BST
Updated 23rd Dec 2021, 07:00 BST

However, all was not as it seemed on the motorway above Dishforth.

North Yorkshire Police acted on the report from a member of public, who spotted several men in two cars on the flyover with what appeared to be a 'long-barrelled gun'.

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The caller reported seeing one man open the boot of a car and take out the 'gun'.

Police talking to the men on the flyover. (Pic: NYP)Police talking to the men on the flyover. (Pic: NYP)
Police talking to the men on the flyover. (Pic: NYP)

The force sent its operational support unit and firearms officers immediately - but found a group of lorry spotters with a long lens camera.

A statement from North Yorkshire Police said: "It turns out the three men did intend to shoot something… But fortunately it was only photographs.

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"Their hobby was truck-spotting and the “long-barrel gun” was actually a long-lens camera which they used to take shots of passing wagons.

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"After checking all was well, we left them to it. The member of the public was absolutely right to report their suspicions. Always better to be safe than sorry."

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