POLICE are warning youngsters and parents about the seriousness of carrying imitation guns in public. Weston police have seen a rise in the number of complaints from residents about young people carrying BB guns, which look very similar to real guns.

POLICE are warning youngsters and parents about the seriousness of carrying imitation guns in public.

Weston police have seen a rise in the number of complaints from residents about young people carrying BB guns, which look very similar to real guns.

Children as young as 14 years old have been spotted playing in the park shooting tin cans and members of the public are worried it could lead to trouble.

PC Gemma Leach, a member of the south ward team said: "Parents are buying these imitation guns for their children without realising just how real they look.

"We have had an increase in calls from worried members of public thinking a child is carrying a gun because they look real.

"It is an offence to walk around in public with a BB gun because we could arrest you for possession of an imitation weapon. I don't think the children think anything of carrying them but there is a consequence that could result in an arrest.

"We just want to make parents aware that their child could be in trouble if they walk around in public with these imitation fire arms.