Police helicopter called and teens arrested after railway workers shot at with air rifle in Carlin How

Two male youths, aged 17 and 18, have been arrested on suspicion of possession of an air weapon after two workers came under fire

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Area around Kilton Beck Viaduct in Carlin How

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Two teenagers were arrested after railway workers were shot at with an air rifle.

Cleveland Police were called to Kilton Beck Viaduct, in Carlin How, after receiving reports that the employees had come under fire.

A helicopter was sent to find the suspects and officers later arrested two male youths, aged 17 and 18, on suspicion of possession of an air weapon.

One of the men fired on, railway contractor Darren Aldridge, 38, said: “We were out weed spraying on the railway.

“We were working along this viaduct and when we came back to the van we heard about 10 shots whistle by us - I imagine if they were coming that close they must have been aiming at us.

“We didn’t know where they were coming from, but my friend said, ‘It’s a pellet gun.’”

The men reported the incident to their company office and the police were then called.

Darren said: “The police were here in five minutes and a helicopter came just after.

“It hovered over the field just next to where we had been working and we could hear the helicopter loudspeaker saying, ‘lay down your weapon’.”

The other railway contractor involved did not wish to be identified but said: “We were working along the railway at the top of the viaduct when we were shot upon, possibly with an air rifle. The pellets were coming past us pretty close.

“We heard that the persons possibly responsible have been caught.”

Neither of the men were injured in the incident.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 12.53pm to Kilton Beck Viaduct in Carlin How after receiving reports railway workers were being fired at by an air rifle.

“The force’s helicopter was involved to find the suspects and officers later made two arrests in connection with the incident.

“They have both been arrested on suspicion of possession of an air weapon and are currently in custody.”