Schoolgirl, 13, arrested after sub-machine gun found in her wardrobe

A schoolgirl of 13 has been arrested by armed police after an assault rifle was found hidden in her bedroom.

The M16 automatic machine gun, which is believed to have been placed under a wardrobe by her gangster brother, was discovered wrapped in several pieces of clothing.

Fifteen officers armed with sub-machine guns yesterday stormed a block of flats in Croydon, South London, after a tip-off about the weapon.

Grim discovery: The M16 assault rifle was found in the schoolgirl's bedroom after police stormed the flat in Croydon, South London



Roads were cordoned off and residents ordered to stay in their homes as police searched the fourth floor flat on Monks Hill Estate in Selsdon.

Although the weapon is thought to be a replica, police were awaiting results of a forensic examination last night.

Detectives believe that the girl's older brother, who is a known gang member, smuggled the gun into her bedroom to avoid detection shortly after the family moved into the flat a few weeks ago.

Police subsequently arrested a 19-year-old man last night on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

Neighbours described their shock at the discovery last night. Jeanette Kendrick, 68, a retired veterinary assistant, said: 'About 1pm I looked out of my window and saw dozens of police dressed in riot gear with helmets and shields.

'Some of them were carrying automatic weapons and they had five or six Alsatian dogs with them. I've been here since I was 21 and we've never had anything like this.'

Sergeant Darin Birmingham, who led the raid, said: 'We received information that the young man living here, who is a known gang member, had access to firearms.

'We pieced together the information we had and decided to act immediately in case the firearm was used. If you mess around with weapons we will be at your front door and you will come face to face with an armed response unit.'

A police spokesman added: 'A girl aged 13 was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken to a South London police station. She has been bailed to return.'

The 5.56mm M16 assault rifle, which can fire up to 900 rounds a minute at a range of 400 metres, has been the U.S. military's workhorse weapon for more than 30 years.

Built by handgun specialists Colt, it has featured in a number of Hollywood action films from Platoon to Predator.