Armed Police from both sides of the Solent were deployed to the main road into Cowes this morning (Friday) when a 999 call was made reporting that a person had been seen with a firearm.
At just gone 08:00, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary received information that a person had been sighted walking up Horsebridge Hill carrying an item that was described to control room staff as looking like a firearm. They were spotted near to Partridge Road.
Acting on the information received, armed officers were immediately deployed, alongside other officers, to conduct a thorough search of the area between Newport and Cowes.
At the same time, Armed Police from the mainland were rushed across the Solent and landed at Fishbourne.
It has been confirmed to Island Echo that a man was stopped and searched as part of the Police’s enquiries, but nothing untoward was located on the male.
The search has now been stood down with no weapons seen or found by Police.
The emergency call is said to have been made in good faith.
What a waste of police time and money such a joke
So, Kev, if the member of the public had not reported, and if the police had not reacted as they did, and if someone had been shot you wouldn’t complain. Good
Well done the person who reported and well done the police. Thank you for looking after our safety.
I bet you would be the first to bleat if they hadn’t reacted in this way and it was a real firearm.
Dunno, mate. You never know if there’ll be another Michael Ryan out there. Better safe than sorry.
Hardly a surprise that nothing was found I’d they had to catch a boat first would have been a good hour
Thankfully for them they were not catching the floating bridge.
Lol
how do they get the Police across to the Island quickly ?? certainly not by ferry ??
Police Boats
All the gear !!
Looking like a firearm??? Remember the guy with a walking stick? No officer it is not a samurai sword….
Public revolt?, brilliant idea!
Really????…… As most people carry a mobile phone couldn’t the good samaritan (!) have taken a photo……. Was there really a need for mainland armed police……. Over the top…..
Lol the only time you see that many coppers is a pride march
I think it’s terrible.
Probably a fishing rod with the price of fresh fish in shops.