People carrying imitation guns in public have been warned by Thanet's police chief that they face zero tolerance from his officers.

Supt Chris Hogben said: “It is dangerous and foolish to carry or brandish imitation weapons and ball-bearing guns in public.”

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Supt Hogben said that if police receive reports of an incident involving firearms, armed response officers will almost certainly attend.

He said: “Even close up the imitation weapons look real.

“An officer 20 metres away has little chance of making that distinction.

“If an officer perceives that someone with a weapon poses a serious threat to the public or themselves, they may open fire."

Supt Peter Wedlake of the Partnership and Crime Reduction department at Kent Police said: “The scheme was launched to reduce the number of weapons that could be used in crime in Kent.

“Weapons, whether they are real or imitation, cause fear and distress in the community and every weapon we have taken in is one that cannot now be used on the streets.”

The Safer Spring weapons surrender run by Kent Police during the last four weeks has resulted in a haul in east Kent that includes 102 knives/bladed instruments; 14 airguns; five real firearms; four imitation firearms; two ball-bearing guns; and two sets of nunchucks.

Anyone wishing to report the misuse of weapons and anyone who has any information on illegal weapons or crime can also contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

* A team of armed officers were called to Paragon Court, Fort Paragon, near Margate Winter Gardens on Thursday at about 5pm after reports that a youth was threatening members of the public with a gun. The area was cordoned off and officers arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm. He was released on bail until May 20 pending a decision to prosecute.

For the full story see this week's Thanet Extra