Hundreds of crimes involve fake guns - sparking calls for tighter controls

This has led a Bradford district MP to call for tougher measures to be put in place in a bid to stop the weapons falling into the wrong hands.

A Freedom of Information request found between 2013 and 2018, 888 ball bearing (BB) guns were used in a string of crimes.

The data covered every imitation firearm used in a crime, from a blank firer to soft air weapon, but BB guns were used in the vast majority of cases.

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In each of the last four years, West Yorkshire Police recorded more than 125 cases of a fake gun being used in a crime and in 2017, there were 238 recorded incidents of one being used.

Last month, several residents were evacuated from Wells Courts flats in Yeadon after a member of the public reported seeing someone with a weapon.

Almost 900 imitation firearms have been used in crimes in West Yorkshire since 2013

Armed police gained entry to the flats and found an air weapon at the property, but no one was arrested.

At the moment, anyone buying a BB gun must be aged over-18.

Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, said the introduction of tighter checks should be considered because of the fear an imitation firearm can bring when it is produced in public.

I’ve seen real guns and imitation firearms and it’s difficult to tell them apart from up close, nevermind when you’re far away" - MP Philip Davies

“It’s a massive issue and it can be terrifying for anyone who comes face to face with one.

“When someone is waving an imitation firearm in front of a police officer it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between that and a real gun.

“I’ve seen real guns and imitation firearms and it’s difficult to tell them apart from up close, nevermind when you’re far away.

“It’s a huge problem, they put a lot of fear into people and they use up a lot of police time.

“There is an argument for putting more stringent conditions on the sale of them.”

The main culprits are car boot sales because there’s no trace back whereas I have to keep a register and pay for a licence" - Jason Green, second hand store owner

Jason Green, owner of The Trader second hand store in Commercial Street, Shipley, sells BB guns and air soft rifles, but told the Telegraph & Argus that he often refuses to sell imitation firearms if he suspects they will be used for the wrong reasons.

He said: “They can’t be sold without ID, so we make sure people are over the age of 18.

“There are ways and means of distracting people from getting one if you don’t think they are suitable.

“We are open about what we do here, but once they have left they can fall into the wrong hands.

“The main culprits are car boot sales because there’s no trace back whereas I have to keep a register and pay for a licence.

A spokesman for another shop, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Checks and balances are in place and we have the right to refuse a sale.

“If a customer produces ID but looks like they have had alcohol, then I’m not going to sell them something.

“I don’t see anymore changes coming into force unless you start making sure everyone gets a licence, but the police will then be inundated.

“If that’s the case then where do we stop?”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Ball bearing gun resembling real weapons are available for legal sale under UK law to persons over 18 years of age, but can only be sold to registered members of soft-air gun clubs.

“It is a criminal offence to carry any ‘imitation firearm’ style weapons in public and the consequences of doing so can be extremely serious with those carrying them putting their lives at risk.

“West Yorkshire Police confiscates these weapons if it is suspected they have been involved in any form of crime and holds regular firearms amnesties in which it encourages members of the public to hand in these and other firearms.

“In the latest week long amnesty which concluded on Sunday, August 4, officers recovered 59 weapons classed as air, gas or BB style devices.

“Anyone owning one an imitation firearm style BB gun is encouraged to hand it in to the police.”

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