Police say the replicas are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing

It turned out the 14-year-old had been firing a toy ball-bearing gun into the road.

The teenager was spotted pointing the BB Gun at people on Ashley street in Derby on Wednesday afternoon and an armed response unit was called.

Officers spoke to the mother of the boy who handed the gun over to be destroyed.

Safety plea

The incident comes as police renew their efforts to remind people about the dangers of playing with BB Guns in public.

Over the past two years, the number of incidents of people being injured by one of the guns has increased sharply.

Police say they are virtually indistinguishable from real guns and such incidents waste police time, cause distress to the public and could be dangerous for those with the toy.

They can be bought from many toy shops but police are urging youngsters to hand them in.