It may seem ludicrous that police are asking children barely big enough to walk not to play with realistic-looking toy guns.

But there is a genuine problem with imitation firearms which every parent would do well to heed.

There is no way in which your friendly neighbourhood policeman, if there is one available, is going to crack down on kids playing with water pistols in a park.

But there are cases where armed police are called in if weapons being brandished look real.

There have already been cases of children being hit by other youngsters firing air rifles.

It is sometimes hard even for trained officers to spot the difference between real and replica firearms.

During the last year, police went to 237 incidents where people were suspected of using handguns and most of the firearms were fake.

Parents, who think the message being sent to children is ludicrous, should realise that even imitation firearms can cause injury.

Children can still play traditional games, such as cowboys and Indians, provided the weapons involved are obviously unreal.