Galloway watches baton-wielding inspector arrest gun suspect, 19

Among those who witnessed the incident yesterday afternoon was Bradford West by-election candidate George Galloway.

Police said the suspected firearm turned out to be a plastic imitation gun and have issued a warning of the risks of having fake firearms in public.

Officers were called to Centenary Square at 2.24pm to reports of a man holding a gun.

He was picked up by CCTV cameras and watched by system operators as he walked along Great Horton Road where he was arrested by a police inspector who happened to be in the area.

The 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and was in custody last night.

Bradford Chief Inspector Marianne Huison said: “The Inspector responded quickly and courageously to the circumstances presented before him, acting to reduce the immediate threat was posed to the local community.

“Although it has transpired that this weapon was plastic, when the police receive reports of guns in the street we have a duty of care to the public. This can often involve a full firearms response which on this occasion was avoided.

“Imitation weapons are difficult to distinguish from the real thing, especially at distance, so the message is clear – to avoid being faced with the real thing, don’t mess about with imitation weapons in public.”

George Galloway, who was on the campaign trail when the drama unfolded, posted a comment on Twitter, saying: “Witnessed police baton a lad in Great Horton Road. He may have had a gun? Or perhaps it was a toy? Who says politics isn’t exciting?”