Operation to destroy UK’s biggest ever illegal firearms hoard - which was part supplied by Norfolk firearms dealer - begins in Suffolk

Ernie Cole cuts up firearms at Suffolk Police Headquarters, seized during Operation Cannington at Wyverstone during 2014 to be destroyed.

A total of 463 illegal firearms, including an anti-tank missile, were found in a secret room at the home of a crane operator and parish council chairman James Arnold, 49, in the village of Wyverstone, Suffolk two years ago.

Arnold died before he could face prosecution but earlier this year gunsmith and firearms dealer Anthony Buckland, 65, of Stoke Holy Cross, Norfolk, was jailed for six years after being convicted for supplying some of the weapons.

Today the operation to destroy the record haul is continuing after being started by police in Suffolk yesterday.

Police expect it to take four or five days before all the weapons are cut into pieces.

Anthony Buckland sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for twenty offences. Picture: Suffolk Constabulary (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

They will then be taken to Sackers recycling centre in Great Blakenham.

Firearms' examiner Ernie Cole, who is shredding the firearms in the cutting shed of Suffolk Constabulary's armoury, said the remnants will be put in a car.

This will be placed into what Mr Cole described as drum-operated machine which flips over as it compresses it.

Eventually the remnants of the process will re-emerge in fist-sized pieces.

The scrap metal is then destined to be exported to India to be re-used.

The destruction of the weapons comes two months after the sentencing of Buckland.

He was convicted last year of 11 counts of selling a prohibited weapon and nine counts of fraud at Norwich Crown Court.