Twelve men have been sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court after they were found guilty of offences relating to converting blank firing weapons into viable firearms and ammunition.
A five-month-long period of raids ensued in the Darnall, Castlebeck, Richmond and Beighton areas of Sheffield, following South Yorkshire Police gaining intelligence-led warrants.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector lain Martin said: “There is no place for the sort of mindless violence gun crime causes in our communities. We will not tolerate gun crime in South Yorkshire.
“This investigation has resulted in a significant number of weapons seized. It is highly likely that these firearms would have got into the hands of violent criminals putting innocent members of the public at risk of harm.”
The 12 men, all from South Yorkshire, either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to manufacture, sell or transfer ammunition.
Between March and July 2023, South Yorkshire Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit and Armed Crime Team recovered 108 weapons in various stages of their conversion, as well as a ‘significant’ amount of ammunition.
DCI lain Martin said: “Converted blank firing weapons make up a large proportion of firearms discharges in South Yorkshire and this investigation forms part of our ongoing relentless approach to tackling firearm enabled criminality.”
As well as the warrants being executed across the city, officers gained an ‘in-depth’ view of the hierarchal structure of the group, through a mix of CCTV trawls and vehicle stops in Sheffield.
Another person charged in connection with the investigation into the conversion of blank firing firearms is still awaiting their trial later this year.
For more information, visit the official South Yorkshire Police website or keep an eye on their media channels.