School uncovers playground black market in BB weapons

11:02pm Thursday 22nd March 2007

Teachers have uncovered a black market in imitation firearms in a school playground.

A 12-year-old pupil is believed to have brought in four BB guns which have been circulated among his Year 7 classmates at Falmer High School in Lewes Road, Brighton, over the past month.

The racket was only discovered on Tuesday after one boy fired a gun in a classroom.

Staff called police, who are carrying out an investigation. A number of pupils have been suspended.

A school spokesperson said: "We are shocked and disturbed at this incident, and are working closely with the police investigation.

"The school has made tremendous progress in recent years. But the safety of our pupils is our number one concern. We will be reviewing our security arrangements in conjunction with the police in light of this incident."

One parent contacted The Argus to say his son was suspended after being caught with a gun which had been handed to him by another pupil.

He said: "One of the boys fired the gun and then asked my son to look after it, so he did. He knows it was a silly thing to do but I think it's wrong to exclude him.

"I had never spoken to him about guns - it wasn't something I expected he'd come into contact with at his age.

"The blame should lie with the grown-up who supplied the boys with the guns in the first place, rather than the boys themselves."

Sussex Police spokeswoman Sue Heard said all "soft airguns" - replicas of real guns - are classed as imitation firearms under the Firearms Act 1968.

Anyone in possession of a BB gun in a public place can be arrested and fined £5,000 and could face six months in jail. If a pellet strikes someone it is common assault.

She added: "These weapons are manufactured in such a way that even our trained police firearms officers cannot always tell them apart from the real thing.

"This means that anyone carrying, or worse using, one of these weapons in public may find the police have been called and may even find themselves confronted by armed officers.

"This is something we obviously do not want to happen as it increases the risks for all involved."

She made a plea to parents to help stop the guns getting into the hands of youngsters.

She said: "If your child has access to one I would ask that you speak to them and ensure they are aware of the law and the consequences of their misuse."

Maggie Smeeth has been working with friends and neighbours to rid the Whitehawk estate of BB guns after armed youths shot animals, people and buildings. Campaigners organised an amnesty and they continue to patrol markets and shops to ensure traders do not sell guns or pellets to minors.

Although BB guns are now rarely seen on the estate, she said they remain a problem across the city.

She said: "Children have to realise these guns are not toys. They can be very dangerous."

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