Children playing with guns on the streets of Keighley could find themselves surrounded by armed police.

Keighley police gave the warning following two incidents last week involving imitation firearms.

A two-year-old girl was injured in Lawkholme last Thursday after being hit in the chin by an airgun pellet. The following day teenagers were seen waving imitation guns in the nearby Dalton Lane area.

Det Insp Trevor Gasson has urged parents to ensure their children do not take such guns out of doors.

He said: "Although they are sold as toy guns and fire what appear to be plastic bullets, they can cause injury.

"From a distance they look realistic. Children are going to end up with armed officers pointing real guns down their neck.

"The police have to treat any sighting of firearms as a serious matter and take the necessary steps, until it's ascertained whether the firearm is a genuine one or only a toy.

"We'd like to appeal to parents either not to buy the guns, or throw them out."

In the first incident, the two-year-old girl was hit by a pellet while in Caledonia Road. She was treated at Airedale Hospital.

Following the 3.30pm incident, a 12-year-old boy was arrested and a plastic weapon (pictured opposite) was recovered by police.

He was released on police bail so further inquiries could be made.

The following day a 16-year-old male was arrested after boys were seen brandishing plastic guns in the Dalton Lane area.

Anyone who witnessed either incident is asked to phone Keighley CID on 01535 617080.