The majority of incidents attended by armed officers in the region involve air or imitation firearms and they increase during the school holidays.

Children are being reminded that they pose a danger to themselves, the public and the officers who respond.

Police want to make it clear that it is an offence to possess an air weapon or imitation firearm in a public place.

'Criminal record'

Chief Inspector Jo Misaiming, of Northumbria Police's Central Support Unit, said: "It is often young people who have air weapons in a public place and we find it happens more often during school holidays.

"Someone could easily be killed or injured by a pellet from an airgun or ball-bearings, either directly as a result of being hit or indirectly.

"It is also an offence to possess an air weapon or imitation firearm in a public place, which means it could lead to children having a criminal record.

"If we receive a call claiming someone has a gun, it is treated as a firearms incident until we can confirm otherwise. Youngsters face the real possibility of being confronted by armed police, putting themselves at unnecessary risk.

"We would urge responsible parents not to allow their children access to such weapons or buy them as toys for Christmas."