Police alert over water pistols

Armed officers were called to investigate a firearms incident in Gloucestershire - only to find children playing with water pistols.

Two teenage boys were "spoken to" by police after a concerned member of the public spotted them playing with the toys in Churchdown.

Police are now urging youngsters not to play with toy guns in public.

Chief Superintendent Ann Green said: "In the end this was resolved with just a few words of advice."

"They must have got a shock when they were approached by armed officers, and it was clear they were contrite about their actions.

"It is often impossible to distinguish between real and replica guns, and members of the public who get a glimpse of a weapon will, naturally, call police with their concerns."