A WEAPONS amnesty is being held after an alarming spate of airgun attacks.

In recent years, there have been numerous incidents when gangs of youths have taken pot shots at passers-by in Loftus and its surrounding area.

Until next Friday, July 19, people can hand in any weapons to police without fear of prosecution.

The offending items can be dumped in a special container at Loftus Police Station to be destroyed by the police's armed response unit.

Officers are also visiting schools and patrolling problem areas to hammer home the message that guns can kill.

PC Eddie O'Hara said police were determined to stamp down on the airgun culture in the area.

"For several years, passers-by have been deliberately targeted by mindless yobs and birds and animals slaughtered," he said.

"We believe that a lot of parents are not aware that their children are doing anything wrong, but they should know air weapons are not toys.

"These are no make-believe cowboys and Indians games in the woods. These weapons can kill and maim and, sadly, many are in the hands of a rogue element that think they are above the law.

"People should remember that a single shot can have a devastating effect on people's lives."

Eleven-year-old Arnold Robertson was hit in the leg as he walked to Freebrough Community College in February.

In September 1999 a pellet was cut out of the forehead of a local man. Weeks earlier an 11-year-old boy and a woman were blinded after being shot.