Press Releases

Replica firearm arrest made during day of action in Acton (PR 946)

A man caught driving with a quality imitation shotgun resting on the vehicle’s passenger seat was arrested by police during a crackdown on crime and grime in Acton last Tuesday (27 February).

Led by Ealing Council’s community safety team, the day of action also netted 49 tonnes of rubbish from the Wesley Estate and nine uninsured or untaxed vehicles. Police also arrested two uninsured drivers – one of whom was also arrested for theft of petrol.

Council community safety, envirocrime, licensing, environmental health and parking officers worked alongside police, Park Royal Partnership businesses, clothing company Boden, waste and recycling contractor ECT, the DVLA and Premier Recovery during the operation.

In other results:

Graffiti was cleaned from 37 different sites
Park rangers led two conservation projects in Acton Park and Southfield Recreation Ground, planting 300 saplings
DVLA officers issued 37 fines for untaxed vehicles
500 Stay Safe crime prevention cards were distributed
16 people registered personal items with Immobilise, the world’s largest free register of possession ownership and searchable register of stolen goods
Environmental health officers carried out four health and safety inspections at small cafés

Councillor Jason Stacey said: “The firearm seized was extremely life-like and I find it somewhat disturbing that it was found resting openly on the passenger seat of the car that the man was driving. Cannabis was also found in the vehicle.

“We are coming down hard on the threatening and criminal behaviour of people like this and I’m pleased he has now been brought to the attention of police.

“The strong results of this latest partnership taskforce day in Acton show just what can be achieved when we all work together. On the Wesley Estate, residents came out and thanked our officers for clearing the rubbish. It is great to know that our work is having such a positive impact.

“We are committed to tackling crime and grime across the borough and our taskforce days in targeted areas across the borough are an important, high-profile part of this.”