Shock at gun haul discovery in quiet Dinas Powys cul-de-sac (From Penarth Times)

Shock at gun haul discovery in quiet Dinas Powys cul-de-sac

9:50am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Robert James Owen

AN arsenal of shotguns, pistols and ammunition has been found hidden in a flat in Dinas Powys, leaving local residents stunned.

More used to dealing with flooding from the Cadoxton River, which runs opposite St Winifred’s Close, homeowners surrounding the quiet cul-de-sac were aghast at the discovery made by Simon Berni, who was renovating the property for his uncle.

In total more than 30 firearms were found, ranging from a 1930s pistol to a pump-action shotgun, along with around 250 bullets.

They were discovered hidden in a false wall and a storage heater.

Mr Berni told TV crews on Friday (January 11): “It was full, absolutely choc-a-bloc - eight shelves of firearms and ammunition.

“The shock kicks in when you look at it, when it's laid out in front of you.

“I would say whoever owned them knew what they were doing, because they were all greased and beautifully wrapped up.”

The previous owner of the upper-floor flat was an elderly woman, who died in February last year. But residents believe the guns may have belonged to her son, who died six years earlier.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “He was nice enough and would say hello but he was a bit of an odd character.

“I knew he always used to lock his door and I always wondered to myself if there would be a bit of a shocking discovery one day – and lo and behold.”

Some of the guns were wrapped in newspaper dated March 1996, which was shortly after the Dunblane School massacre when a gunman killed 16 young children and a teacher.

Legislation was introduced soon afterwards, restricting the ownership and possession of handguns, and some neighbours believe the guns may have been hidden away following the events.

Others said it was the last thing they expected in such a quiet area.

“I moved to the area with my two young children because it is so quiet,” said one neighbour.

“It’s a huge shock but it goes to show you find the most unusual things in the most unusual places.”

Another added: “It’s a sign of the times. I’m not even particularly shocked. That said, it is concerning that it’s on our doorstep.”

A fellow resident said: “We are usually dealing with flooding issues, but this is something else.

“It’s the live ammunition which is most concerning. It certainly had the potential to cause an awful lot of damage.

“But I heard many of the guns were relics, which would suggest that whoever did own them was a collector rather than someone with any sinister intentions.”

Many Dinas residents took to Facebook page Dinas Powys Pictures to voice their opinions. One site user posted: “How Dinas has changed.”

Police, who used sniffer dogs and telescopic cameras after the discovery, have since removed the haul.

A spokesperson said: "The weapons which were discovered at an address in Dinas Powys have been examined by specialists at South Wales Police. 

|They are not linked to any criminal activity.  It appears that they were part of a collection which was concealed in the property by a previous owner.”