POLICE are appealing for information following a spate of incidents involving air rifles.
Two weeks ago, a 28-year-old pregnant woman was shot in the thigh as she walked near a football pitch at Perkinsville, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
A 17-year-old male has been arrested in connection with that incident, but air rifles have also been used on the A693 road through Pelton, also near Chester-le-Street.
Police have also received a number of complaints that the weapons are being carried uncovered in public places.
PC Ian Scott said: "Youngsters do not seem to realise the power of these weapons. They may be aiming for something like a tree stump, but fail to take into account that if they miss they could badly injure someone.
"Fortunately, the woman in this case was not seriously hurt, but a pellet travelling at that height could have hit a child in the face."
He said that patrols had been stepped up in problem areas
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