Youths found carrying or using ball-bearing guns in public were today warned they could find themselves confronted by armed police officers.
Sgt Kevin Diable-White was speaking after two nasty incidents where young children were injured after being hit by pellets fired by such guns.
In the first incident, a 13-year-old paperboy was shot in the neck by three youths as he delivered newspapers in Rosino Avenue, Canvey.
Sgt Diable-White said the victim was approaching the junction of Maurice Road when three youths appeared and began walking towards him carrying a ball-bearing gun.
They fired but missed him the first time. However, the second shot hit him in the neck which left a red mark.
The second shooting happened in Marine Avenue, Canvey, where another 13-year-old boy was walking home when two teenagers pulled out a ball-bearing gun and shot him in the head, causing numbness.
He said: "I would urge all parents to think before allowing their children to acquire ball-bearing guns, because like all guns they can potentially be lethal or cause serious injuries particularly if pellets hit the face or eyes.
"The police treat all reports of firearms very seriously and anybody found using such guns in the street could be confronted by armed police."
Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003
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