A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences
15:50, 15 Jan 2025Updated 15:50, 15 Jan 2025
Officers in Wigan heard screams and noticed someone using a taser
Police bodycam footage captured the moment a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of firearm offences at a bus station near Wigan. On Saturday, January 11, at around 7pm, officers were on patrol near Wigan bus station on New Market Street when they spotted someone acting suspiciously.
In the footage high pierced screams can be heard before an officer can be heard saying ‘that’s a taser, that’s a taser that’. Both officers then begin to run over to the suspect before the male officer shouts ‘officer with a taser, drop it, drop it, get on the floor now. Hands behind your back, hands behind your back’.
The video then shows the man on the ground being handcuffed before the officer uses his radio to say ‘got a lad locked up, possession of a taser’
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries. Inspector Jon Ezard from our Operation Venture team said: “This incident demonstrates the seriousness of having a weapon like this and using it in a public place is not only dangerous but extremely foolish.
“Thankfully, due to swift action from our officers we were able to prevent any harm and meant we have seized and removed this item from being used again to either inflict injury or cause fear.
“Our officers only deploy their tasers when really needed to ultimately protect the public when attending incidents and requires rigorous training to be granted authority to obtain one as part of their duties. It goes without saying, no matter the age, tasers should not be used or bought by the public to play about with.
The taser which police found(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
“As part of our deployments across Greater Manchester we patrol key hotspots based on intelligence we gather to ensure we can have an active presence in these areas to prevent crime from happening and will continue to use a mix of high-visibility policing and covert tactics to keep local communities safe.”
Wigan Police’s Operation Venture team, who are particularly focussed on knife crime, has made a significant dent in criminality across the force area. They’ve made 717 arrests, recovered 202 weapons, and removed them from the streets, seized 166 vehicles and over £250,000 cash, recovered over £80,000 worth of drugs, and conducted 765 positive, proactive stop and searches on key offenders since their formation over 18 months ago.
Anyone with additional information whilst as investigation continues by local officers are asked to call 101 quoting incident 2380 of 11/01/2025. To report anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the website: www.Fearless.org – where it enables young people to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously. There’s also lots of help and support available on their website if you’re concerned about knife crime.