UPDATED: 'Brave' bus driver praised after incident with firearm in Long Eaton

A BUS driver has been praised for his bravery following an alleged firearms incident in Long Eaton.

A man was arrested after police were called to reports of a disturbance in William Street.

Officers found a man who allegedly had what is now understood to have been an imitation firearm.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said a man made his way into College Street and spoke to several members of the public.

Extra point for £10 with every aerial fitted

AMC Aerials

View details

Print voucher

With every new aerial installed by AMC aerials I will fit an extra point in your bedroom or kitchen for an extra £10
New aerials fitted from £70
Call Adrian on 01332 418856

Terms: Must be an aerial supplied and fitted by AMC aerials

Contact: 01332 418856

Valid until: Friday, July 12 2013

The incident is also understood to have involved a Trent Barton bus.

The company praised the actions of one of its bus drivers following the incident.

Alex Hornby, of Trent Barton, said: "Thankfully, incidents such as these are very rare and we will obviously support the police in their investigations.

"We certainly echo the many positive comments we have already received about our driver and his undeniably brave and selfless actions in looking after his customers."

One message written on a Trent Barton page on website Facebook was from a woman who said her daughter was a passenger on the bus.

She said: " I would just like to praise and thank your driver, who was a real hero. After the incident, he dropped my daughter and her friend outside our home. Thank you so much to this brave man."

Another said: "Your bus driver on College Street last night was a very brave man doing what he did.

"He needs a medal or something for his bravery."

Residents living on both William and College Streets said they saw police activity at about 9pm on Friday night.

Lisa Kent, 45, of William Street, said: "We saw a police car outside the house across the road and it was there for a long time.

"My husband also saw a blue flashing light at the top of the road for ages – so we knew something must have happened."

Andrew Goddard, 38, of College Street, said: "I know part of the road was blocked off and there were a couple of unmarked police cars about.

"The police helicopter also seemed to be hovering above us for a bit, too. We get that sometimes but we don't normally see this kind of action in the street."

And Terry Malthouse, 56, of College Street, said: "I heard the police helicopter up at after 9pm.

"It was up there for a while and sounded like it was above my house, which was quite concerning. It is worrying when things like this happen."

A police spokeswoman today that Ian Kinney, 38, of William Street, Long Eaton, had been charged with a firearms offence and criminal damage. He is due to appear before Derby magistrates today.