Gun-toting children have been warned that they are putting themselves in the firing line by taking fake guns onto the streets.
Armed police swooped on a house in Sunderland this week in the latest on a spate of replica firearms incidents.
And a senior officer warned: "It is only a matter of time before one of the yobs is gunned down by crackshot officers."
Inspector Bob Spence said: "Ultimately, innocent kids could be shot if they point these guns at armed officers, because we cannot tell if they're fake."
The replica guns, which fire ball bearings, are being bought from second hand shops for as little as £20.
Insp Spence added: "As well as running the risk of getting themselves shot, they are wasting police time and resources through their stupidity.
"Legally these guns are toys but we want shopkeepers to show some sense about who they are selling them to."
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