Man charged after toy gun brandished in Grays town centre

Summarised from 2 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 20:02 · Archive

A man has been charged after reports of a firearm being brandished in Grays High Street on November 2.

Armed police responded to reports of a man behaving erratically and carrying what appeared to be a firearm in Grays High Street just after 11.30am on Monday, November 2. The man was arrested at the scene.

Martin Heward, 60, of Palmers Avenue, Grays, was subsequently charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and racially aggravated harassment. He was remanded in custody and was due to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 3.

Chief Inspector Danny Barmes, Thurrock district commander, said officers responded promptly when reports came in. 'I know this would have been a very alarming situation for people in the town today,' he said. 'This was a toy gun, but I understand the fear and concern that would have caused people at the time.' Neighbourhood Policing Team officers spoke to businesses and people in the area following the incident.

How it is being reported

• Police officer injured as man arrested after 'fight' near busy nightclubEssex Police officer injured in Colchester High Street fight in Essex on October 31; man arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting an emergency worker.Echo (Basildon) · 3 Nov, 14:42
• Police officer injured as man arrested after 'fight' near busy nightclubEssex Police officer injured in Colchester High Street fight in Essex on October 31; man arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting an emergency worker.Colchester Gazette · 3 Nov, 14:42
• Man charged after 'firearm brandished' in town centreA man has been charged after a firearm was reportedly brandished in Grays town centre yesterday.Echo (Basildon) · 3 Nov, 13:09
• Appeal to identify man after 'outraging public decency' incident at High Street shopEssex Police appeal for information to identify a man linked to an outraging public decency report at an Epping High Street shop on September 25.Echo (Basildon) · 2 Nov, 20:09
• Appeal to identify man after 'outraging public decency' incident at High Street shopEssex Police appeal for information to identify a man linked to an outraging public decency report at an Epping High Street shop on September 25.Colchester Gazette · 2 Nov, 20:09
• Armed police seen in town centre after reports of erratic man brandishing 'gun'Essex Police arrest a man in his 60s after reports of a toy gun being brandished in Grays High Street on Monday, November 2.Echo (Basildon) · 2 Nov, 16:11
• Armed police seen in town centre after reports of erratic man brandishing 'gun'Essex Police arrest a man in his 60s after reports of a toy gun being brandished in Grays High Street on Monday, November 2.Colchester Gazette · 2 Nov, 16:11

In this story: Martin Heward · Essex Police · Grays · Basildon Magistrates' Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log