Photo: applesandpears2002.freeserve.co.uk

A dismantled shotgun with live ammunition has been found buried in a children’s play park in Hackney.

After receiving a tip-off, police used a metal detector and firearms recovery dog to search the Apples and Pears play park in Pearson Street,
Hoxton, which is close to a local primary school.

The shotgun, a Browning, was found buried eight inches under the soil, wrapped in cloth and broken into three working parts along with ammunition capable of discharge.

The gun was discovered on  November 23, but details have only now been released.  Officers from Hackney’s proactive firearms unit, Operation Bantam, are investigating whether the weapon has been used in any previous crimes.

Detective Sergeant Dave Coxall of Hackney’s Operation Bantam, said: “In the last 12 months over 40 firearms have been recovered in Hackney, helping prevent serious injury and death on our streets.

“This success shows how responsive Operation Bantam officers are to the intelligence we receive and I would urge anyone with information about firearms on the borough to contact us. Hackney Borough Police is dedicated to tackling issues head on and this result is another notable success in our battle against violent crime.”

Hackney’s proactive firearms unit, Operation Bantam, is part-funded by Hackney Council and can be contacted on 020 7275 4060.