Three people arrested after gun found in woods near Madley Park, Witney

Officers swarmed on Madley Park in the early hours of Monday morning to search woodland between Cranberry Road and Grey Lane.

The force had received reports of a weapon being hidden in the area and had a scene-watch in place.

A 29-year-old man from Oxford, and two woman, aged 31 and 23 from Faringdon and Eynsham respectively, have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and currently remain in police custody.

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Senior investigating officer detective inspector Tracey Benham, of Banbury CID, said: “Following reports that a firearm was hidden in woodland, officers conducted a thorough search of the area and located a weapon which has been made safe and taken to Witney police station.

“I would like to re-assure the local community that the investigation is ongoing and we have made arrests in connection with this incident, and there is no wider threat to the community.”

A heavy police presence was at the scene until early on Monday afternoon, with the first officers arriving shortly after midnight.

Cranberry Road resident Richard Seaman was woken up by the operation and investigated more.

He said: “One of my kids noticed blue flashing lights out of the back of the house at about 1am.

“There was one squad car and the area was being cordoned off.

“At about 9am I went out to speak to a police officer and he said ‘we’re looking for something’.”

The resident, who lives with his wife and three children, saw at least two cars and two unmarked police vans at the scene later that morning, with one carrying a sniffer dog.

Mr Seaman spotted up to ten officers and five vehicles at one point and said police had left the scene by 2.30pm.

He added: “I couldn’t see what they were doing, but there was a lot of activity going on.

“It was quite unusual for this area.”