THE latest toy craze sweeping Gwent could end up with your child in court.

That's the stark warning from Gwent Police, issued on the day after a 13-year-old boy was sentenced to an eight-month detention and training order after shooting a teenage girl in the face with a BB gun.

BB, or ball bearing guns, fire tiny metal or plastic pellets and are sold for about £15. The gun's shooting range is about 30ft.

The more money you pay the more life-like and powerful the gun is, say police.

PC Eddie Evans, of Bettws Police, said: "The obvious concerns are they fire a missile that could injure someone, particularly a small child.

"Also the gun itself could be used for any number of criminal offences.

"People can be confronted with something which to them looks like a real firearm, particularly if they see somebody loading a magazine into it.

"It would be quite frightening for somebody if this 'toy' was being pointed at them.

"They are not illegal to sell to children but we think there should be something to stop the manufacturers from producing almost exact replicas of weapons for use by children.

"I would say to parents not to buy these 'toys'. In my opinion it is quite a dangerous toy and could hurt children.

"I would ask them to consider very carefully whether to buy their child one."

Newport Trading Standards echo PC Evans's fears. They have had a number of calls from people concerned about BB guns.

Chris Roe said: "I think traders should be responsible and should not sell to small children unsupervised. It is a difficult area. We do not have the power to stop the sale of these toys if they comply to restrictions.

"We would urge parents to make sure their children use them sensibly, responsibly and under supervision."

* Pictured: PC Eddie Evans with one of the guns