More than 50 weapons have already been handed in

A man was injured in a shooting in a Sheffield pub on Tuesday evening and police say two youngsters have been hurt by ball-bearing guns.

A month-long amnesty began last week and already 50 weapons including air rifles, shotguns, swords and knives have been handed in.

The weapons can be left at police stations in the area.

'Terrifying toys'

Posters and leaflets advertising the hand-in are being distributed at secondary schools in an appeal to youngsters to hand in ball-bearing guns.

A seven-year-old boy was recently hurt when a gun was shot in his ear and an 11-year-old girl playing with her dog in a garden was shot at by youths. Both incidents were in Gresley Road, Sheffield.

Insp Andy Male said: "Ball bearing guns are seen as toys but it is illegal to take them out in a public place. They can be terrifying.

"They appear real, a trained firearms officer would not know the gun was a toy if it was pointed at them, nor would a member of the public."