Father angry over toy gun episode

Armed police threatened to arrest a 10-year-old Wiltshire boy playing cowboys and indians with a toy gun, his father claims.

David Astley says it happened as he was out walking with his wife and two sons in Salisbury on 1 June.

In a letter to the Salisbury Journal, he said one of the officers was very intimidating and left his 10-year-old very distressed.

Wiltshire Police admitted the incident but defended their actions.

'Sharp'

A spokeswoman said two officers were driving along when, out of the corner of their eye, they saw someone waving what appeared to be a gun.

She added that given the recent climate surrounding the issue of imitation firearms, they decided they should stop and investigate, but that no action was taken once it was realised the gun was not real.

Officers explained to the parents that it can present a difficult situation if toy guns are waved in the street.

But Mr Astley said: "One officer spoke sharply to my son and said that he could arrest him, but because he was going off duty it would be too much paper work.

"We have always told our children the police are here to help us. But I think our son finds that hard to believe at the moment."

Police said Mr Astley was welcome to lodge a formal complaint.