Suspected 3D

A man has been remanded in custody after police uncovered what is thought to be a 3D-printing weapons factory.

National Crime Agency (NCA) officers believe an industrial unit in Merton, south-west London, was being used to convert blank-firing guns into lethal weapons using 3D-printed parts.

Evan Girdlestone, 47, appeared before magistrates in Croydon on Saturday morning charged with offences under the Firearms Act. No pleas were entered.

He was arrested in Croydon on Thursday.

Mr Girdlestone, from Colliers Wood in south-west London, is accused of illegal possession of a handgun and ammunition. He is due to appear at Croydon Crown Court on 16 June.

Officers from the NCA's armed operations unit said they initially recovered what they believe to be a functioning converted weapon, and magazines filled with 9mm ammunition, from a car.

During a separate search of an industrial unit in the Lombard Road area of Merton, officers found an array of tools and machinery, including parts used in the manufacture of weapons and ammunition.

Also found were blank firers, more than 100 rounds of live ammunition, about 1,000 rounds of blank-firing ammunition and three potentially functioning converted weapons.

Officers also found several 3D-printing machines suspected of being used to print component parts for converted weapons.

The seized weapons are being analysed by forensics experts.

Debbie Palmer-Lawrence, from the NCA, described it as a "significant operation" and said stopping converted weapons from reaching criminals was a priority.

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