A child has been cautioned by Colchester police after shooting his friend with a ball-bearing gun.

The youngster, thought to be 11, also had the weapon seized after firing at the boy in Churchill Way in the Barn Hall area of the town.

Last night's incident left the 11-year-old victim with minor injuries to his arm, chest and back.

After the shooting, Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, warned: "BB guns and children do not mix in an urban environment.

"I would certainly not recommend anyone allowing their child to have one because it invariably leads to incidents like this."

He also pointed out it can lead to situations where firearms officers are called out and they may not be able to tell whether a gun is real or not.

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003

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