POLICE have urged parents not to let their children play with replica guns after armed officers swooped on four youths.

The teenagers sparked a major operation after a member of the public became concerned after seeing the youths in Middlesbrough brandishing what looked like guns.

Onlookers watched as police swooped on the boys in Eaglescliffe train station as they made their way from Middlesbrough to Darlington, only to find the weapons were ball bearing (BB) guns.

Police last night said they would treat every report involving weapons in the same way and asked parents to ensure youngsters were warned of the dangers.

Weapons expert PC Ged Haycroft warned that a child's prank could easily lead to tragedy. He said: "Times have changed and so has public attitude. High-profile incidents around the country involving the criminal use of firearms and other weapons have attracted much media attention.

"The public are quicker to respond and report sightings of a person with a gun."

He said that even if the person was a teenager with an air weapon or BB gun, the response would be the same and that a confrontation with armed officers could follow.

In recent years, there have been instances of young people being killed by tragedies involving BB and air guns.

Only a few weeks ago, a five-year-old girl in Thornaby suffered facial injuries after she was hit by a ball bearing from a gun.

In the 12 months from April last year, there were 19 incidents in Cleveland involving BB guns.

In the past five months, there have been 18 gun incidents.

Police are urging parents not to buy guns for their children.

PC Haycroft said: "Remember, air weapons are not toys. In the wrong hands, they can cause damage and misery."