Air weapons responsible for 70% of all gun crime

DERBYSHIRE Police have released a detailed overview of offences involving air weapons across the county.

In a report to the Derbyshire Police Authority, it was revealed that 70 per cent of all gun-related crime in the area was attributable to air rifles and ball bearing (BB) guns.

From April to October, 2011, there were 43 offences involving air weapons, with the crimes being spread throughout the week — Saturday though was highlighted as the busiest day.

Offences often spiked between 3pm and 6pm, a statistic which reflects the high proportion of young offenders and young victims involved and also coincides with the end of the school day during the week.

Almost half of the offences took place in a street, the rest in play areas, recreation grounds, playing fields or at the victim’s or a friend’s house or garden.

More than half of the air weapon offences were committed against children aged between seven and 14.

The majority of the offenders were known to the victim but five young victims were targeted by complete strangers believed to be ‘mucking about’ or using air weapons recklessly.

Sixteen of the offences recorded were against adults with most either walking in the street or their garden before being shot from a moving car, flat, window or by someone out on the street.

The remaining offences were recorded as acts of violence, conflict, intimidation or revenge.

The assailants had often not long purchased the weapon but some had borrowed it from a friend and one had been found in a field.

It has been suggested that prevention in terms of restricting availability of air weapons may help reduce the number of offences in the future.

Officers are now regularly visiting schools to educate youngsters about the risks, dangers and consequences of using air weapons.