ARMED police raided a building in Oswestry in a joint operation with American customs enforcers.

At about 12.40pm on Thursday, officers from the Regional Organised Crime Unit West Midlands (ROCU WM) conducted a planned firearms operation on Oswald Road.

Video by Geraint Jones

It was a joint operation between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) in which HSI Special Agents in Newark, New Jersey, examined a parcel and discovered a concealed firearm and ammunition inside it.

ROCU WM investigators arranged for the package to be delivered to Oswald Road.

With assistance from West Mercia Police firearms officers, a 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, believed to be responsible for attempting to import the firearm and ammunition into the country were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

Det Chief Insp Michael Nally, from West Mercia Police, said: "We take firearms offences extremely serious and tackling serious and organised crime remains a priority for West Mercia Police.

"Working closely with our partners is key to ensuring our communities are made safer and more secure, and we hope that people feel reassured and empowered to report any concerns around firearms with confidence that action is being taken.

"We will do everything we can to raise awareness of the dangers of firearms and keep them off our streets."

Anyone with concerns about firearms can contact West Mercia Police on 101. If it is an emergency and a crime is taking place always ring 999.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.