Man arrested after NCA raids suspected ‘gun factory’ in South London

A 47-year-old man was arrested in Croydon as part of the intelligence-led operation by officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit.

Evan Girdlestone, from Colliers Wood, was remanded in custody when he appeared at Croydon magistrates’ court on Saturday (May 20) charged with offences under the Firearms Act.

He was arrested on Thursday morning (May 18) and officers recovered what is believed to be a functioning converted weapon and magazines filled with 9mm ammunition from his car.

As part of the operation, investigators then conducted a search of an industrial unit linked to Girdlestone in the Lombard Road area of Merton.

Inside they found an array of tools and machinery, including parts used in the manufacture of weapons and ammunition, blank firers ready to be converted, more than a hundred rounds of live ammunition, around a thousand rounds of blank firing ammunition ready to be converted, and three potentially functioning converted weapons.

Officers also found several 3D printing machines suspected of being used to print component parts for converted weapons.

At one point the Army bomb squad was called in to ensure the safety of the location after a quantity of suspected explosive powder was discovered.

The NCA said the seized weapons were now being assessed and analysed by forensic experts.

Debbie Palmer-Lawrence, from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit, said: “This was a significant operation which uncovered a suspected firearms conversion factory being used to convert blank-firing weapons into lethal guns.

“We know that these types of weapons are in demand by criminals. They are often used in acts of serious violence, as well as being used by crime groups to coerce and intimidate.

“This is why stopping them reaching the streets is a priority for the NCA.

“Our investigation continues and I’d like to thank Metropolitan Police and military partners for their support throughout the searches.”