A dramatic moment unfolded when a brave off-duty special constable disarmed a suspected gunman moments after a gunshot was fired last week.

Abdullah Bin Imad was about to get some food when he saw two men acting suspiciously.

After becoming increasingly concerned about their behaviour, he moved into a coffee shop to phone 999 to report that he believed the men may have had a gun.

Seconds later, a shot was fired and Abdullah ran out of the shop, detained one of the men and recovered a firearm.

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CCTV shows Abdullah restrained the man and kept the gun out of reach until armed officers arrived minutes later.

The gun was later established as blank-firing weapon.

Abdullah, 22, who is an electrical engineer, said, “I wanted the suspect off the street and as far away from the public as possible.

“I was worried for other people’s safety because of what – from my point of view – I believed it to be a live and viable firearm.”

The young man, who has been a special for four years, works with the Acocks Green neighbourhood taskforce, said, “I’ve always wanted to join the police.

“I love the job really. You never know what’s around the corner and I like making those fast-paced decisions when you’re on the ground and on the move.”

Det Supt. Jim Munro, from Birmingham Police, said. “Abdullah showed extreme bravery and didn’t waste any time putting his training to effect. He saw there was a potential threat to public safety and did the right thing by phoning for assistance. When the gun was fired, there’s no way he would have known that it was not a live firearm.

“He safely brought a suspect off the street and had the safety of the public at the forefront of his mind throughout.

“This is a timely reminder that our officers are never truly off duty, of the value that special constables bring to the policing family, and of the risks that they face on a daily basis.”

Two men, aged 48 and 32, remain in custody for firearms offences and investigations continue.

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat or 101, quoting log 2796 of 7 July.