PARENTS are being warned of the dangers of airguns after two children were hurt in separate incidents.
A 12-year-old boy was due to undergo an operation at Hartlepool General Hospital last night after being shot by an airgun.
A pellet was lodged in his hand after an incident on Monday at a BMX track near the Black Path in Hartlepool. Two youths had been firing a gun into trees where children had been playing when the youngster was hit.
It was the second incident in the town involving air weapons. Half an hour earlier, a six-year-old girl was hit in the stomach in Monach Road.
The girl escaped with slight bruising.
Teenagers were said to be responsible for both incidents, and police are investigating.
A police spokesman said: "Air weapons are dangerous and in the wrong hands they can be lethal.
"They are not designed to be toys. People can be easily blinded by the foolhardy use of such guns and parents should be aware of the dangers they can cause."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article