The Sun (WALLSEND) **NEWSFLASH**

Wallsend rules man. It's the 'Compton' of Newcastle....

u wished u lived there!

i normally end up spending most my weekends there..thats enough for me

*Locals Tip*
Euro Pizza near 'the corrie' do the best mix kebab.

yes, i have tasted it, but u cant beat Gill's souvalaki (sp)

Gills? opposite blockbuster?? stinks of cooking fat!

erm.. the one down the side street near the metro station.

Armed police in dawn gun raid Jun 11 2004



By Rob Kennedy, The Evening Chronicle


Armed police sealed off streets today as they searched for illegally held guns.

They swooped near the Rising Sun pub just off the Coast Road in Wallsend, North Tyneside, shortly after 7am with search warrants.

The operation, led by Supt Dave Borrie, was carried out as a result of information into alleged firearms activity.

A police spokesman said: "We have executed a search warrant and further inquiries are continuing."

It is not known what police found or if arrests were made as the operation got underw ay.

Families woke to find dozens of officers, many of them armed, on the streets surrounding the pub.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I came down here with my grandson and could not believe it when it was all cordoned off.

"We were walking down the street and the last thing you expect to see is all these police with guns.

"No-one knows what is going on but apparently it's some kind of raid."

A pensioner who lives near the pub added: "Apparently it's something to do with a protection racket but that's all I know.

"Someone said it was linked to Viv Graham but I don't know if that's right or not."

Jane Danson, 41, who lives nearby said: "They were in there for ages, someone said they were looking for guns.

"It must be something really serious for there to be that many police here with guns.

"The pub is a little bit rough but it's not that bad usually, no worse than any of the other pubs around here."

A local shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, said: "From what I've heard it was a pre-planned raid, not just something that happened this morning.