Adur cops seize imitation guns

The red BMW had been traced by the police helicopter after a woman reported seeing people in the car with a firearm around 12.55pm on Sunday.

It was forced into the car park of Shake and Burger, in Albion Street, Southwick, by an unmarked police car.

Three other police cars blocked the BMW in.

Armed police officers surrounded a man and five children, aged between 11 and 14, who remained inside the car.

Seven ballbearing guns were seized by armed officers.

The group were allowed to leave the scene after admitting they had bought all the weapons from a shop in Chapel Road, Worthing, some for as little as 99p.

There is no age limit on who can buy BB guns but it is illegal to show them in public and the maximum penalty is either six months in prison or a 5,000 fine.

More stringent laws are due to come into effect next year.

Adur Chief Inspector Lawrence Hobbs was in charge of the police response.

He said: "The weapons we have recovered are good imitations and you need to physically hold them in your hand to see that they are in fact BB guns.

"It's foolish for children to display these weapons in public in circumstances that may create alarm and irresponsible for parents to allow their children to have them.

"No chances can be taken by the police when responding to such incidents and police must respond fearing the worse.

"Fortunately, on this occasion no harm came of it but I urge parents and children not to show these items in public."

No one was arrested in connection with the incident.