The 12-year-old, from Sparkbrook, was detained at the scene in Billesley Common
Police recovered this firearm after our armed officers responded to calls of a gunman waving it around in a Birmingham park.
Shockingly Officers later found the person in possession of the handgun was a boy aged 12.
The gun was actually found to be an imitation which had been painted black in a bid to make it appear more like a genuine pistol.
The 12-year-old, from Sparkbrook, was detained at the scene in Billesley Common but later released without charge after Police spoke to his parents about the public concern his actions had generated.
Chief Inspector Jason Nunn from our Firearms Unit said: “As you can see it’s a very realistic replica. I would challenge anyone to distinguish this from the genuine article – especially if only seen from a distance.
“We received a call from someone who’d seen him pull the gun from a bag and point it at a group of young men he was with. They ducked behind a car so were clearly worried.
“Officers approached the boy in the park and seized the handgun. He was sorry for his actions and Officers took him home where we spoke to his parents. They were warned about his future conduct and told in no uncertain terms his actions were totally unacceptable.
“Carrying an imitation firearm in public, even a toy gun, can cause great concern and lead to a response from our officers.”
Police received a 999 call reporting the gun sighting in Hullbrook Road on Sunday afternoon (4 Oct).
The boy was stopped shortly after on Billesley Common where it’s understood he was showing the weapon to a group of friends.
There is no suggestion the boy used the imitation firearm to threaten anyone or to commit an offence.