Teenager 'sparked fear' by carrying BB gun around Portchester
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Police officers seized the weapon from a 14-year-old boy in Portchester on Thursday – and said it looked similar to a real firearm.
Imitation firearms are illegal to carry in public, and possession can result in a custodial sentence.
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Hide AdPosting on Facebook, Fareham Police said: ‘The appearance alone is enough to spark fear, and it is not uncommon for police to receive calls about someone wielding a gun, when in fact it is an imitation.
'All calls to police involving firearms will be treated as if it is a genuine firearm.
‘Officers will be deployed, which takes up our time and resource, and you could find yourself face to face with our armed officers if you start waving around what you think is just a toy.’