Arrests over reports of handgun in shopping centre

Three teenagers have been arrested over reports of a masked person in a shopping centre in Derby with a small handgun.

Derbyshire Police said officers attended Derbion in London Road after a CCTV operator saw a gun being passed between two other young men just after 17:30 BST on Tuesday.

The force said police and Derbion security detained three boys - and it was later discovered the firearm was "a toy".

The suspects - two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old - were arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm.

Supt Richard Lambert said: "I would first like to the thank the CCTV operator and security staff from the Derbion centre.

"They worked quickly to ensure that members of the public were kept safe and ensured officers were able to swiftly arrest these three teenagers.

"While thankfully only a toy - both the security team and members of the public were seriously concerned about the possession of this item and did exactly the right thing in contacting us."

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