A FORMER detective has spoken of his anger after armed officers carried out a midnight raid at his home with a police negotiator to recover two rifles.

Colin Toghill, a highly commended retired police officer with 30 years’ service, said the late-night drama was ‘totally unnecessary’ and left his family terrified.

But Durham Constabulary maintains the scale of the operation action was appropriate because the 68-year-old ‘may present an unacceptable risk to the public’.

The Northern Echo understands the firearms’ licence for Mr Toghill’s two guns expired in November and his application to renew them has been refused.

The Northern Echo:

Jackie and Colin Toghill are taking action against Durham Constabulary 

Officers arrived outside the family home on Finchale Avenue, Brasside, near Durham early on Friday morning and a trained negotiator called his mobile phone.

Two armed officers were allowed into the property to collect the weapons while a van with support officers waited outside and a drone hovered overhead filming.

Mr Toghill, a father-of two, said: “It is like they are dealing with an armed robber or a mad axeman. It is outrageous. Totally unnecessary. I am raging."

Mr Toghill, who also served with the Household Cavalary, now works as a security guard at Covid testing sites in County Durham.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Toghill at Horse Guards Parade, London, in 1972 when he was in the Household Cavalry.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Toghill now works at Covid testing sites in County Durham 

He said he had offered to take the guns to a police station to hand them in and said the midnight raid at his home was ‘humiliating’.

Mr Toghill was in house with his wife, Jackie, 57, and their 18-year-old son.

The Northern Echo:

The couple, who met while working for Kent County Constabulary, are pictured here in around 1990

He said: “They got me out of bed. It was like they were dealing with a criminal, not someone with 30 years service. I have never been convicted of anything in my entire life. It made me feel dirty. It is madness.”

A police letter to Mr Toghill said the reasons behind the refusal of the renewal of firearms licence relate to complaints made by members of the public and the way he spoke to a police community support officer previously.

Mr Toghill is discussing the case with a solicitor this week.

A force spokesman said: “Durham Constabulary made the decision to withdraw an individual’s firearms licence due to previous reports made to the police.

“Following further investigation an assessment of the suitability of the licence holder was made.

“It was assessed that the licence holder may present an unacceptable risk to the public should they continue to possess their firearms and ammunition.

“Due to the licence holder’s interaction with Durham Constabulary, officers took appropriate and proportionate measures, involving both armed officers and trained negotiators, to recover firearms held at an address in Durham resulting in the seizure of two rifles and 32 rounds of ammunition.

“The individual concerned has the right to appeal the decision to revoke his licence at a court hearing.”

Mr Toghill said: “For a retired police officer of 30 years, who has not only been commended for his integrity and excellent support for major crime investigations whilst serving in the Serious Crime Analysis Section and as a Crime Investigation Support Officer, and also served the country whilst in the Household Cavalry this treatment is an utter disgrace to say the very least.

“We have taken legal advice and our solicitor will be contacting Durham Constabulary in due course.”