Police said fakes could be as alarming as real guns

Officers are writing to stores stressing that imitation guns can easily be mistaken for the real thing.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) said this could be alarming for those faced with a replica weapon - and could have "potentially tragic consequences" for the owner if they were confronted by armed police.

Spokesman David Mellor, Fife's Deputy Chief Constable, said he was pleased by the initial reponse to the amnesty.

'Genuine concerns'

"We are already asking that imitation weapons, as well as the likes of air weapons and so-called BB guns, be handed in," he said.

"They can, after all, be just as intimidating and very difficult to tell apart from the real thing."

He said the eight Scottish forces would now be writing to retailers who sell imitation weapons to voice "genuine concerns" about the number of incidents involving replicas.

Grenades have been handed in to police

Legislation is planned which will make it an arrestable offence to possess a replica firearm or air weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse.

"In advance of this we are asking retailers to give us their support now by eradicating the sale of these potentially problematic items," said Mr Mellor.

"Obviously it is a matter for the retailers whether they continue to offer for sale what are currently legal replicas or air weapons but we are asking them to think most carefully about the implications of continuing to offer them for sale."

Mr Mellor said the responce to the amnesty, which runs until the end of the month, had been "very pleasing".