Armed police attended the beach and arrested two men on Sunday, June 14 following reports that a man was carrying a rifle but the reality was far less sinister
Armed police swarmed a beach after a man was seen carrying a rifle while having a barbecue with friends.
Police attended Eastney Beach in Portsmouth, Hants after an angler notified them of the man with the firearm on Sunday, June 14.
Gun cops surrounded the group who had set up a camp on the rocks overlooking Langton Harbour.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said police were called shortly before 8.50pm.
Two men were arrested and the rifle was determined to be an air soft weapon.
“There was a report of a group of men with a weapon on Eastney Beach in Southsea,” the spokesperson said.
“A 24-year-old man from Southampton and a 23-year-old man from Romsey were arrested.
“They were subsequently issued a caution for possession of an air weapon in a public place.”
A witness told The Sun those present were quite worried.
“We didn’t know if it was real or not,” the witness said, referring to the soft air weapon.