Kids, including one, 7, with knife and fake gun, trigger armed police op after threatening drivers

A CHILD aged seven was among four detained after armed police responded to reports of youngsters threatening motorists with a gun near a shopping centre.

West Midlands Police was contacted by several drivers yesterday (Saturday, November 6) who said the group were stopping traffic and pointing a handgun at them, with one saying he was told “stop, give me your van”.

There were also reports of stones being thrown at vehicles before the boys threatened staff at a shop at Reedswood Retail Park, Walsall.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Our armed police were deployed to the scene shortly after 10am and detained four children. Two are aged 12, one aged 11 and the other just seven.

"They recovered a toy gun that had been painted black while a kitchen knife was found in a rucksack being carried by one of the children."

Two boys aged 11 and 12 were arrested, one for possessing an imitation gun and the other for knife possession.

The spokesman added: "The other two children were escorted home by our officers. We’ll be speaking to their parents and referrals made to the local authority children’s services."