NORTH Yorkshire's Deputy Chief Constable fears a teenage prank with a toy pellet gun could end in tragedy.

Peter Walker has highlighted the dangers of brandishing air weapons and BB (ball bearing) guns in public as the force gears up to take part in a national firearms amnesty.

Armed officers have been called out to a number of incidents across the county after being alerted by concerned members of the public who have seen young men armed with what appeared to be handguns. In most cases the weapons have turned out to be pellet-firing BB guns, replicas, or toys.

Mr Walker said: "Crime involving real guns is exceptionally rare in North Yorkshire, but we have real concerns about the misuse of toy guns, air pistols and replica weapons.

"My fear is that a thoughtless teenage prank with a BB gun or an air pistol could end in tragedy."

A national firearms amnesty starts on Monday and will run until April 30.

People with unlicensed firearms and ammunition are being encouraged to hand them in to North Yorkshire's main police stations, and can do so anonymously with no questions asked. The force will also take unwanted lawfully-held guns, as well as imitation firearms or air weapons.

Mr Walker said: "I am frequently very concerned that I am sending officers with semi-automatic weapons to an incident involving youngsters playing with what may ultimately turn out to be toy guns."

"Armed police officers are highly trained and there are many checks in place to stop a police marksman from firing unless convinced that it is the only option, but events in other forces have shown tragic mistakes can happen.

"The bottom line is that a shot could be fired." The Government is set to bring in new restrictions on carrying imitation or air weapons in public, and, said Mr Walker, the amnesty was an ideal opportunity for people to get rid of such items prior to the new rules.

Police stations which will take in guns and other weapons during the amnesty are: Northallerton, Malton and Scarborough, Ripon, Harrogate, Malton, Skipton, York and Selby.

Not all stations are open to the public at night. People wanting to hand in weapons out of office hours should check before setting out.

Updated: 11:00 Friday, March 28, 2003