SHOPPERS looked on in shock as a man showed off what appeared to be a handgun in a busy York street.
Eyewitnesses said the man was staggering around in the middle of Colliergate, and displaying what looked like a handgun tucked into the waistband of his jeans. He then made off in a taxi. Police were called and followed the taxi to Clifton, where it was stopped by officers in an armed response vehicle and other, unarmed officers. After questioning and searching the man, an item was recovered which police believe was a harmless toy gun.
Sergeant Andy Farrar said of yesterday afternoon's incident: "Members of the public faced a real dilemma in this situation and did exactly the right thing by calling us."
A man was yesterday arrested and interviewed on suspicion of firearms offences. He was later released on police bail.
Updated: 13:36 Friday, March 14, 2003
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