Parents are urged not to give children BB guns as presents

It comes after officers recovered two fake guns from teenagers last month.

Youths are being reminded the guns pose a danger if misused and armed officers can find it hard to determine if the guns are genuine or imitations.

A police spokesman said using them in public is an offence and also urged parents not to buy the guns as presents for their children.

If an officer feels that someone's life is being threatened, then a shot could be fired Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw said: "When we get an emergency call involving a firearm we have to treat it very seriously.

"Every weapon being carried in these kind of incidents will be considered lethal until proven otherwise.

"However, I have genuine concerns that when police officers armed with semi-automatic weapons are facing up to young people 'armed' with these so-called toy guns, there is always the potential for tragedy.

"Our officers are highly trained and highly responsible, but we all know that on the spur of the moment mistakes can happen.

"If an officer feels that someone's life is being threatened, then a shot could be fired."