Air gun attacks could be coming to an end in South Tyneside – thanks to the Shields Gazette.

The paper is making a concerted effort to outlaw the dangerous ‘toys’ – one of which claimed the life of 14-year-old boy earlier this month.

In a two-pronged attack, the Gazette plans to run a series of articles highlighting the dangers of air guns before finishing with an all-day amnesty where owners can hand them in to police.

Owning an air weapon isn’t illegal for people over the age of 14 – but the guns can be extremely dangerous when given to children to play with.

The campaign is being run in conjunction with the police and officers have pledged to come down hard on anyone they find carrying the guns in the street.

Inspector Phil Kay said: “We want to take action now before a tragedy happens here in South Tyneside.

“Airguns of any kind are dangerous and can cause serious injury and even death.”

Gazette editor Rob Lawson said: “We have been watching the growing number of firearms incidents over recent weeks, and now is the time to take action.

“It is only a matter of time until there is a serious injury which hits the headlines, and we want to stop that before it happens.”

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