Man detained under Mental Health Act following Much Wenlock firearms incident
A man who was involved in a firearms incident in Much Wenlock yesterday has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Armed police officers were called to the town yesterday afternoon after a man threatened patrol officer with what appeared to be a handgun at 4.10pm.
At 4.25pm, the man was approached by armed officers and dog units were called in and as he attempted to enter a property in Stretton Road.
Again, he appeared to threaten them with a handgun and a shot was fired by an armed officer. The round did not hit the man and he was arrested shortly after being tackled by a police dog. A handgun was recovered at the scene.
A man in his 50s from Telford was taken into custody at Malinsgate Police Station in Telford and shortly afterwards was transferred to The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, to be treated for dog bite wounds.
This morning he was assessed at hospital by a mental health team and detained under the Mental Health Act.
As in all such firearms incidents, the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and West Mercia Police is awaiting a decision on how it wishes the incident to be investigated.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who is leading the investigation into the incident, said: “We have now completed our work at the scene in Stretton Road, but our inquiries continue, including house-to-house inquiries around Much Wenlock and we have had a lot of witnesses come forward.
“I would like to thank local residents for their assistance and patience especially after what must have been a very worrying incident in what is normally a very peaceful town.
“The local Safer Neighbourhoods Team has been liaising with community leaders, and officers and PCSOs are conducting high-visibility patrols in Much Wenlock.
“If you have any concerns or information you would like to pass on, please feel free to stop and talk to them.”
If anyone would like to contact West Mercia Police about yesterday’s events, please call the non-emergency number 101 or information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111. Please quote the reference number 104n 31/03/13.
