Watch moment police tackled teen suspected of carrying imitation firearm after Chelsea vs Fulham
The Metropolitan Police have released bodycam footage of officers tackling a teenager who was believed to have been armed. Officers were alerted to the suspect after Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Police received 999 calls after people spotted the suspect’s attireMetropolitan Police A 16-year-old was then detained on suspicion of carrying an imitation firearm in the Fulham Broadway area. talkSPORT were told that social media speculation of a mass shooting attempt was not true amid concerns from onlookers. Footage has now been uploaded by the Metropolitan Police showing the moment in which the suspect was tackled to the ground. A 999 caller told an operator “Hi guys, I’m sure it’s nothing but there’s a guy walking out the front of Chelsea and Westminster hospital in full tactical gear and a gun on his hip. “And he’s absolutely not a police officer. He’s got a gun in a holster on his hip, and he’s in full tactical gear with a face mask on.” The video switches to a bodycam recording of nearby officers who run straight towards the suspect and tackle him onto the pavement. “Get on the ground!” they’re heard shouting. “Get on the floor! Get the firearm safe! Do not move!” One officer adds: “Met Control, we’ve had to intervene due to crowd risk. Male is detained.” Another officer is then seen pulling a pistol from the suspect’s hip. The teenager explained in an interview with police that he was in a costume for a nearby comic convention on that weekend. Dramatic footage shows the moment that police take down the teenMetropolitan Police Their response occurred in front of hundreds of football fansMetropolitan Police An imitation firearm was then moved out of the reach of the suspectMetropolitan Police What have the police said on the incident? As per the Metropolitan Police, armed officers were dispatched to deal with the incident. However, due to the potential risk involved, unarmed officers who were already on duty for the match also responded. The suspected firearms were confirmed to be imitations, but they had been painted black for a more realistic appearance. “This was a highly unusual and extremely concerning incident which occurred at the worst possible time,” said Inspector Rob McDonald, who was the Match Commander for the Premier League fixture. “The match had not long finished and 40,000 spectators were leaving the stadium when information was received about a person dressed in black tactical clothing, wearing a ballistic helmet and carrying firearms heading towards a major transport hub. “The unarmed officers who spotted the suspect acted spontaneously and with incredible bravery. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at Stamford BridgeGetty “They tackled him to the ground to secure the firearms without thought for their own personal safety, only that of tens of thousands of football fans in the immediate area. “This incident highlights the bravery and selflessness of our police officers who come to work every day to keep the public safe.” Commander Adam Slonecki was in charge of policing across London on the day, and added: “These officers demonstrated quick thinking and truly impressive bravery in the way they responded to this incident. “While they believed the suspect was potentially armed with multiple weapons, they were all unarmed. They put the safety of the public above any concerns for their own and in doing so did themselves and the Met proud. “I hope this incident also serves as a reminder to those who may be engaged in ‘cosplay’ or in any other activity that involves dressing up as characters where weapons or armour are involved. “Such activity should ideally take place in organised environments where it is obvious to everyone what is going on. Stuart Pearce was on commentary for talkSPORT and saw the incident after “Wandering around in public, particularly in crowded places, while carrying these items is irresponsible. “While those taking part may know their weapons aren’t real, the public do not and nor do our officers.” The teen admitted the offence of possession of imitation firearms. He has also been referred to the Youth Offending Team in order to consider an appropriate out of court disposal.

The Metropolitan Police have released bodycam footage of officers tackling a teenager who was believed to have been armed.
Officers were alerted to the suspect after Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
A 16-year-old was then detained on suspicion of carrying an imitation firearm in the Fulham Broadway area.
talkSPORT were told that social media speculation of a mass shooting attempt was not true amid concerns from onlookers.
Footage has now been uploaded by the Metropolitan Police showing the moment in which the suspect was tackled to the ground.
A 999 caller told an operator “Hi guys, I’m sure it’s nothing but there’s a guy walking out the front of Chelsea and Westminster hospital in full tactical gear and a gun on his hip.
“And he’s absolutely not a police officer. He’s got a gun in a holster on his hip, and he’s in full tactical gear with a face mask on.”
The video switches to a bodycam recording of nearby officers who run straight towards the suspect and tackle him onto the pavement.
“Get on the ground!” they’re heard shouting. “Get on the floor! Get the firearm safe! Do not move!”
One officer adds: “Met Control, we’ve had to intervene due to crowd risk. Male is detained.”
Another officer is then seen pulling a pistol from the suspect’s hip.
The teenager explained in an interview with police that he was in a costume for a nearby comic convention on that weekend.
What have the police said on the incident?
As per the Metropolitan Police, armed officers were dispatched to deal with the incident.
However, due to the potential risk involved, unarmed officers who were already on duty for the match also responded.
The suspected firearms were confirmed to be imitations, but they had been painted black for a more realistic appearance.
“This was a highly unusual and extremely concerning incident which occurred at the worst possible time,” said Inspector Rob McDonald, who was the Match Commander for the Premier League fixture.
“The match had not long finished and 40,000 spectators were leaving the stadium when information was received about a person dressed in black tactical clothing, wearing a ballistic helmet and carrying firearms heading towards a major transport hub.
“The unarmed officers who spotted the suspect acted spontaneously and with incredible bravery.
“They tackled him to the ground to secure the firearms without thought for their own personal safety, only that of tens of thousands of football fans in the immediate area.
“This incident highlights the bravery and selflessness of our police officers who come to work every day to keep the public safe.”
Commander Adam Slonecki was in charge of policing across London on the day, and added: “These officers demonstrated quick thinking and truly impressive bravery in the way they responded to this incident.
“While they believed the suspect was potentially armed with multiple weapons, they were all unarmed. They put the safety of the public above any concerns for their own and in doing so did themselves and the Met proud.
“I hope this incident also serves as a reminder to those who may be engaged in ‘cosplay’ or in any other activity that involves dressing up as characters where weapons or armour are involved.
“Such activity should ideally take place in organised environments where it is obvious to everyone what is going on.
“Wandering around in public, particularly in crowded places, while carrying these items is irresponsible.
“While those taking part may know their weapons aren’t real, the public do not and nor do our officers.”
The teen admitted the offence of possession of imitation firearms.
He has also been referred to the Youth Offending Team in order to consider an appropriate out of court disposal.