3 men from London have been arrested after 2 shotguns were stolen from Tapnell Farm over the weekend.
Police have been investigating the theft of the unloaded guns from Top Targets clay pigeon shooting range at the popular West Wight attraction. The company is operated independently from Tapnell Farm, however.
The incident is said to have occurred on Saturday (3rd July) but Police remain at the Newport Road location today (Monday).
Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that a 21-year-old man, a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, all from London, have been arrested on suspicion of theft. The trio remain in custody at this time and are understood to have been detained at Tapnell earlier on today.
Island Echo is told that the guns remain unaccounted for and that nearby woodland is to be searched by specialist officers.
Police have issued reassurance that the firearms are fully licenced and were not loaded when they were stolen. No ammunition was stolen either.
UPDATE @ 18:10 – Police have confirmed that specialist officers are conducting searches in the area this evening in relation to the outstanding firearms.
If anyone has information that could assist the Police’s enquiries they can call 101 quoting 44210262002.
Slowly but surely this wonderful place we call home is drifting away…
How were the shotguns stolen? If you have a license to own a shotgun or in this case shotguns, by law, they have to be locked securely away in a shotgun cabinet. If mounted and fixed correctly, you would never get into one if these cabinets.
No ammunition stolen, I’m sure people could get it, island echo it doesn’t matter if they were licensed they been stolen