Watch: Police catch gunman Nikye Thomas after he pointed a gun at a man in Birmingham city centre

Gunman Nikye Thomas pulled a gun on a man in Birmingham city centre seconds after grappling with another man over a small bag.

Firearms officers chased and caught a teenager  after a woman dialled 999 to report a fight near Snow Hill station car park at 3.10pm on Saturday, June 24. Nikye Thomas was chased through Burlington Arcade and New Street station, dropping his loaded gun before finally being taken to the ground.

The man he was threatening fled the scene and Thomas made off, but firearms officers spotted him and chased him. Dramatic footage released today (Saturday, September 16) shows how officers relentlessly pursued him before bringing the chase to a safe conclusion outside New Street station.

When the gun was recovered at Burlington Arcade, five live rounds were in the magazine with another in the chamber ready to be fired. A quantity of cannabis resin, some scales and a burner phone were also found in his bag.

In an interview, Thomas initially gave false details to officers before answering no comment to all questions. Thomas, of Colindale Road, Kingstanding, was jailed for five years at Birmingham Crown Court on 13 September for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and six months, to be served concurrently, for possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Detective Sergeant Sharon Owen, from West Midlands Police Major Crime team, said: "This was a shocking and reckless act which happened in the middle of a busy Saturday afternoon at a time when the city was full of innocent people. Thanks to great work by CCTV operators, firearms officers, forensics and investigators, Thomas is now behind bars.

"In addition to the five rounds in the gun’s magazine, one was in the chamber and ready to be fired. Carrying guns on our streets is completely unacceptable and this investigation could easily have become a murder investigation had he pulled the trigger. We are determined to take guns off the streets and arresting those who think it is acceptable."

The conviction comes after we launched Operation Target, which is focused on bringing serious and organised criminals to justice in the West Midlands.