Armed police deployed to Southern Co-op store in Keynsham after report of teenagers with a gun

Armed police descended on a Southern Co-op supermarket in Keynsham after two teenagers were reportedly seen outside the store with a gun.

More than a dozen police officers arrived at the store in Queens Road yesterday (September 21) at around 6.20pm.

Two teenagers - aged 14 and 15 - were stopped outside the store and arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. Police say an imitation firearm was recovered.

The store closed last night as a result of the incident, but was back open this morning.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 6.20pm yesterday a member of the public called us after seeing two teenagers with a gun in Keynsham.

“Armed officers responded and stopped the teenagers – aged 14 and 15 – outside a shop on Queens Road.

“They were subsequently arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. An imitation firearm has been recovered.”

“Neighbourhood officers are conducting reassurance patrols in the area and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

No-one was the Southern Co-op store was available to speak to Bristol World, but a company spokesperson issued a statement which confirmed no staff member had been physically injuried.

The statement read: “We’re working closely with the police and would urge anyone with information relating to this incident to speak to the police.

“We’re grateful that none of our colleagues were physically injured in this incident.

“As a locally-owned co-operative, we’re working towards combating the causes of incidents such as these as they clearly an impact on our colleagues and the community.“We will be continuing to offer support to our local colleagues and we’d like to thank the wider community for their support.”

The two teenagers have since been released by police under investigation.