Yahoo News Cleveland PCC says police took reports of Roseberry Topping 'guns' 'seriously'
The Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner has reassured the public that a "comprehensive" police response took place after an incident on Roseberry Topping.
Social media users were left in shock over the weekend after a video surfaced online of a group appearing to hold an AK-47 at the top of the landmark.
The group were captured waving flags that appeared to be from Eritrea, in Africa, while one held a suspected gun - prompting frightened walkers to dial 999.
Cleveland Police later confirmed that the suspected weapon was actually an imitation firearm - saying officers then gave "words of advice" to the group.
However, this sparked outrage online, with Parliamentary candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Simon Clarke speaking of his "deep concern" and arguing that a "mere warning simply does not cut it”.
He said: "This response in no way corresponds to the seriousness of what had taken place. The Teesside public feel the same.”
The force’s Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker later issued a statement saying it was quickly established that the man holding the imitation firearm was part of a community gathering for an Eritrean holiday called Martyrs’ Day.
He said the man was “very apologetic and hadn’t realised the alarm and distress this would cause.”
PCC 'grateful' for police's 'swift response'
Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey has now said he hopes the force's statement "addresses the concerns" of the public - adding that both armed cops and the police helicopter were drafted in following the reports.
A full statement said: “I am aware that Cleveland Police have provided further information to the public about the incident on Roseberry Topping over the weekend.
“I hope this additional context and explanation addresses the concerns members of the public have expressed to my office over the last couple of days.
“Following an update from the incident’s Gold Commander, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Baker, I would like to reassure the public that a comprehensive policing response took place, involving the deployment of firearms officers and the National Police Air Service.
“For me, this highlights just how seriously Cleveland Police took the reports and I’m assured they responded as the public would expect them to.
“I’m grateful to the officers and staff involved for their swift response to this incident."
A full statement from Mr Baker previously said: “Yesterday (Sunday 23rd June) Cleveland Police officers attended Roseberry Topping, following reports of a man carrying a firearm.
“All reports of firearms are taken extremely seriously by Cleveland Police, and armed officers were deployed to the area immediately. When the firearms officers arrived, they confronted the man carrying the firearm.
“However, it was quickly established that he was part of a community gathering - including families, women and children - who were celebrating an Eritrean holiday called Martyrs’ Day and the families were carrying both Eritrean and Union Jack flags.
“The man carrying the imitation firearm was spoken to, and the gun was examined by officers who confirmed that it was in fact a replica toy firearm.
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“He was very apologetic and hadn’t realised the alarm and distress this would cause to other members of the public in that area.
“Following careful consideration of the circumstances presented to them, with families and small children attending an event of celebration, officers explained to the man that he could have been arrested under section 19 of the Firearms Act and provided appropriate words of advice, before the man willingly handed over the gun to police.
“None of the reports received in connection with the incident suggested that the man or anyone else in the party had behaved in a threatening or intimidating manner. Should this have been the case, officers would have considered a different course of action.”
