Assault weapons like those used in Paris massacres ‘are being smuggled into UK and sold to terrorists’
Deactivated guns being reactivated in Eastern Europe are coming into Britain by sea, air and even by post, top police say
GANGS are smuggling assault weapons like the ones used in the Paris massacres into Britain, senior police officers warned today.
National Crime Agency and Met Police bosses say they have seen a rise in deactivated guns being reactivated in Eastern Europe and coming into Britain by sea, air and even by post.
Some illegal weapons are also bought on the Dark Web or from licensed owners that have either sold or had their weapons stolen.
Firearms are also being supplied by corrupt armed forces personnel.
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There has also been a rise in gang violence in British cities as criminals compete over turf and some members have even joined terrorist cells after radicalisation on the streets or in jail.
Met Assistant Commissioner for specialist operations including terrorism, Mark Rowley, said: "There are those who fully subscribe and are determined to act for Daesh, others are just angry and are criminals and are given a way to express that through the streets or in prison.
"It's a complex picture, it is more at a low level, there is not incentive for the highest criminal to get involved in this.
"This rise in gun activity isn't country wide, the biggest rise is seen by our metropolitan forces. It suggests escalation of the use of weapons between gangs to compete with each other."
The guns, 22 Czech VZ-58 assault rifles and nine Skorpion machine pistols, were transported from the continent by boat into Britain by the gang led by Harry Shilling.
The NCA says it has seen a rise in the number of legally owned guns falling into the hands of criminals.
Lynne Owens, director general of the NCA, said: "There are around 800 legally owned weapons that go missing each year. These are sometimes stolen in burglaries or are simply sold on by the owner.
"It's vital these weapons don't get into the hands of criminals, terrorists and gang members.
"We have seen operations where small ports and airports have been used by criminals, in one case a helicopter was used to bring in drugs.”
The majority of the illegal weapons smuggled into Britain come from Eastern Europe where rules on reactivated guns are not as strict as the UK
The NCA today launched an appeal for the public to be aware of the danger of these weapons falling into the hands of terrorists and criminals.
AC Rowley added: "Despite all out best efforts they can come through the postal system or smuggled through the boarders from illegal sellers or purchased from lawful owners who have a licence."
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