Three men due in court over firearms offences after bomb squad and police searches in South Shields street

Officers were called to the town’s Osborne Avenue after it was reported that a firearm had been discharged.

Supported by bomb disposal experts as a precaution, officers searched two addresses on Friday, April 23, after being called at around 10.20pm.

The search found two homemade ‘slam guns’ and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Police were satisfied that neither of the weapons had been fired but they were subsequently seized as an investigation was launched.

Following extensive inquiries carried out in the area – which followed searches in the street on Wednesday, April 29, police have now charged three men in connection with firearm offences.

A 28-year-old man from South Shield has been charged with possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit and offence in relation to a firearm.

A 31-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, both from South Shields, have been charged with conspiracy to commit an offence in relation to a firearm.

All three individuals are due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside on Friday, May 1.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Wade, of Northumbria Police, said: “I would like to thank everyone in the local community for their cooperation and patience over the past week.

“A team of officers have been carrying out various enquiries at a number of addresses in recent days, and we understand that this can be unsettling for those living nearby.

“I would like to reiterate that nobody was injured and there was no wider threat to the public.

“However, as a force, we take any incidents involving firearms incredibly seriously and will use all tactics at our disposal to identify suspects and put them before the courts.”

A 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with the intent to cause fear or violence has been released with no further action to be taken.

Anyone with information that can assist officers is asked to contact us via the Tell Us Something page of the force website quoting log 1236 230420.

Alternatively, you can email [email protected].

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