Sgt Allan George with a BB gun confiscated off children in Chippenham (15989/4)GAZETTE & HERALD: ARMED police went into action in Chippenham town centre on Saturday night after a youth was spotted with a gun in New Road.

The firearms team and other units were sent to the area after a frightened member of the public rang for help.

It was later found the youth had been using a paintball gun but police this week urged parents to think twice before allowing youngsters to buy the guns. They said they fear a terrible accident could happen if officers thought the firearms were real.

Sgt Allan George at Chippenham station said: "These weapons are not a toy. I would urge any parent to carefully consider whether it's appropriate for their child to own them."

"Would you be able to tell the difference? And at a distance?," Sgt George said.

"The police have responsibility to ensure public safety and depending on the circumstances could be placed in a difficult position of having to make a split second decision.

"These weapons, especially from a distance, look genuine."

The firearms team, traffic department and a double crew police mobile from Chippenham was called to New Road, outside the Little George pub after the report from a member of the public.

The caller said somebody was outside the pub waving an automatic rifle at 10.45pm.

The gun was quickly established as a paint ball gun because lime green paint had been fired at walls in the area, but police say it is very difficult to tell.

The youths had made off before police arrived at New Road so they are requesting help from any witnesses who may have seen or heard anything.

At 6pm the same evening a paint ball gun was fired in Old Road, Chippenham.

Sgt George said: "Police are considering the link between this and the later incident in New Road and we will be advancing these enquiries.

"Wiltshire police would urge anyone who possesses such items to carefully consider the consequences of having them with them in public.

"Firstly an arrestable offence is committed if possessed in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Secondly, please consider the effect on the public, your neighbours who may see you with them."

Police in Chippenham are still investigating another incident involving youths with weapons from the previous weekend.

Last Sunday they were called to the Hill Rise area to deal with youngsters wielding iron bars.

This week the grandmother of one of the youths involved in the incident said: "War broke out. There was a mother and daughter attacking my 18-year- old grandchild. She was on the floor and they were attacking her. They wanted my grandson.

"When he went outside there were four men and two women waiting for him.

"They started attacking him.

"It was ten against four and a man had a metal bar."