A father has spoken of his shock as armed police stormed his Crieff home after a child’s toy was mistaken for a gun.
Officers rushed to Sauchie Terrace following reports James Kilgore had been seen brandishing a firearm inside the property.
Witnesses said a number of police vehicles, including several armed response units, vans and squad cars descended on the quiet neighbourhood at around 7am.
Officers were responding to reports the 49-year-old had been seen at the living room window of his first-floor flat holding a gun and making a shooting motion.
“I was just cleaning my windows – I don’t know why people thought I had a gun,” Mr Kilgore said.
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“The next thing I knew, the street was full of police. There must have been every officer in Tayside at my door. They were filling into the street from all directions.”
Mr Kilgore said he was initially too afraid to open the door because he feared he was going to be shot by officers, who were dressed in riot gear and carrying automatic weapons.
“They asked me about a gun and I told them the only gun I had was a child’s toy in the kitchen drawer,” he said.
“It looks like a water pistol. I think one of the neighbours had maybe seen one of the kids playing with it outside and thought we had a real gun.”
The terrified father-of-four was led away by officers shortly before 9am but was later released without charge pending further inquiries.
“I’ve never had a machine gun pointed at me before and it’s not something I’d want to happen again,” Mr Kilgore said.
It is understood a number of local residents have previously raised concerns about incidents at Mr Kilgore’s address.
One neighbour, who said he was left shaken by the police operation on Wednesday, confirmed he had raised the matter directly with Hillcrest Housing Association.
A spokeswoman for the organisation said it is “aware of the ongoing issues”.
“Police attended and later confirmed it was a broken BB gun which was seized,” she said.
“The area outside the property was also searched and nothing criminal was found. A male was arrested at the scene but was later released without charge.
“In the light of this event we are not taking further action as the individual has not been charged with an offence.
“If tenants have concerns about the behaviour of their neighbours, we would always encourage them to report this to the police and to us as their landlord.”
Police Scotland confirmed officers attended a property on Sauchie Terrace in Crieff after a report of a disturbance at around 7.15am on Wednesday.
A spokesman said: “There is not considered to have been any risk to the wider community and local residents are thanked for their patience while the incident was resolved.”
