A POLICE armed response team was deployed following reports that two men were brandishing a silver handgun.

They were first spotted at the Askham Bar car park, on the edge of York, and later seen again in St George's Field car park, near the city centre.

Police caught up with the pair and after a search of the area, discovered the weapon was a plastic pellet gun, known as a BB gun.

Police critisised the actions, which they said could have led to tragedy.

Inspector Alex Brandom said: "Yet again, police have had to deploy armed officers to deal with a situation involving a BB gun, and the reckless actions of certain individuals - actions which ultimately could have devastating consequences."

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw has previously warned that a tragedy could result from the increased popularity of BB guns.

He has called for tighter legislation on the guns, fearing his armed officers could shoot someone as a result of their irresponsible use.

He said 40 calls were made to North Yorkshire Police in only one month by people who spotted what they believed were firearms. In each case the weapon was a BB gun.

Out of 17 incidents when he authorised officers to arm in that month, half of the occasions were as result of BB guns being mistaken for firearms.

Mr Bagshaw said: "Clearly, when officers are responding to this kind of threat, there is a real danger to all concerned, particularly to those with the weapon.

"My officers are trained to eradicate any threat to life, the public's or their own, and they would shoot, then it makes no difference if the weapon was real or a replica.

"Thank God we have not had that in North Yorkshire, so I am making this appeal to be more responsible with these weapons, so we do not reach that point."