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Cops target schools in war on guns 'fad'

By Clarissa Satchell
5/12/2002

POLICE firearms experts are to visit secondary school pupils to stop youngsters using imitation guns as "fashion accessories".

Trained officers from Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Firearms Unit will warn teenagers about the dangers of using fake guns in public places.

In the last year, officers from the unit have been called to a growing number of incidents where young people have been in possession of imitation firearms and ball-bearing guns.

Chief Insp Patrick McKelvey, the unit's head, said: "The misuse of imitation firearms, ball-bearing guns and air weapons by young people is not just an issue in Greater Manchester but is a national problem.

"Through taking this presentation to secondary schools, we are determined to stop young people using such `toys' as fashion accessories to impress their peers and instead encourage them to think of the repercussions. We are also hoping that it will offer the secondary school pupils a greater understanding of the role of a firearms officer."

The presentation will focus on the problems facing firearms officers when responding to incidents where a fake gun has been spotted.'

The initiative will be piloted in a number of Greater Manchester schools and, if successful, will be rolled out force-wide.

It is already under way at Plant Hill High School, in Blackley, Manchester.