Police confirm firearm find in Paisley murder hunt

The weapon was recovered on a railway embankment to the rear of Weaver Terrace in Paisley where Stephen Pollock died.

Mr Pollock, 21, was found dead at a friend’s house in the street at around 11.15pm on December 21.

Forensic tests are still to be carried out on the weapon to establish whether it was indeed used in the attack.

Detective Superintendent Alan Buchanan told BBC Radio Scotland: “We recovered a firearm two days ago on a railway embankment to the rear of Weaver Terrace which we believe to be the gun involved in the shooting although forensic tests are still to establish that.”

Asked whether he thinks the gun is the murder weapon he replied: “We believe so just now. We will know hopefully once the forensic tests have been carried out.”

Last night, a week on from the murder, police stopped and interview around 30 motorists and pedestrians in Cathcart Crescent, Paisley, in a bid to jog their memories and find clues.

Police believe the local community holds the key to finding whoever murdered Mr Pollock.

Detective Superintendent Buchanan told the programme: “This was unusual that a firearm was used. We’ve looked at a number of lines of inquiry in relation to that.

“From the information we’ve received just now we believe that the answer lies within the community.

“We believe that certain individuals will know exactly what happened to Stephen. We’re appealing for them to come forward and help us.”

Mr Pollock, who worked at Sandyford abattoir in Paisley, Renfrewshire, was last seen alive at his family’s home, around 10 minutes walk from the scene, at about 3.30pm on December 21.

Police are trying to piece together where he was in the hours between.

Last week his mother Nancy appealed for information which could help catch whoever is responsible for her son’s death.

She said: “Stephen was a great son and much loved by all the family.

“Our lives will never be the same and we will never get over not only losing Stephen, but losing him in such a horrific and tragic way - no family should ever have to put up with what we have suffered.”