Firearms seized from suspected gun factory

Twenty firearms have been seized from a suspected gun factory and one man has been charged.

National Crime Agency (NCA) officers seized four Glock pistols, nine shotguns, six long-barreled firearms and a decommissioned Bren machine gun during a raid on a house in Kingsclere, Hampshire, on Tuesday.

Philip Mellen, 57, of Pennies Hatch, Kingsclere, was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and was due to appear at Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday.

NCA branch commander Chris Hill said it was “a very significant recovery”.

Officers also recovered 11 imitation firearms – one AK-47, one MP40 sub-machine gun and nine revolvers as well as various gun components.

The agency said tests are underway to verify whether one of the Glocks and shotguns is viable.

Mr Hill said the weapons had the “potential to cause devastation” within the community.

He added, “This is a very significant achievement.”

“We have identified and prevented a significant number of lethal weapons from reaching Britain’s streets.

“Protecting the public from the threat of criminal use of firearms remains a key priority and we work with partners at home and abroad to tackle their import into the UK.”