Parents across Essex are urged not to buy their children any more toy guns or imitation weapons as Christmas presents as fears increase that youngsters may be challenged at ‘real’ gunpoint by armed police.
The warning comes in the run-up to the festive season, with police keen to make people aware of the dangers of possessing imitation weapons and the possible ten-year prison sentence that the offence holds.
Throughout the year, the force’s firearms officers are called to incidents where youngsters have been in possession of BB guns and replica firearms, causing fearful residents, shoppers and motorists to dial 999.
** FOR FULL STORY, PICTURES AND STATISTICS SEE TOMORROW'S PAPER
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