Staffordshire air gun crimes rocket by 25 per cent

The latest figures for 2014-15 represent a 25 per cent rise on the previous year.

Almost 90 cases involved minor injuries, but four also involved 'serious' harm - including the blinding in one eye of Cannock police officer Jon King by a gas-powered hand gun in Rugeley last year.

He was shot twice in the face at close range when he responded to an incident in Wat Tyler Close in October.

Matthew Tearle, aged 35, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to a charge with intent to do him grievous bodily harm at Stafford Crown Court last month. A trial will take place in January.

And there were 27 cases where air weapons were reportedly used as a 'threat'.

The figures have raised the question of whether the laws governing air rifles should be tightened up.

Currently, anyone aged 18 or over can buy one. But anyone aged 14 or over is allowed to fire one, unsupervised, on private land, with the owner's permission.

Only the most powerful air weapons require a firearms certificate. But a spring-powered pistol, painted bright orange, can be bought online for £12.99.

A disclaimer on the website of retailer Just BB Guns reads: "The sale of this item has been restricted to adults only. There is no minimum age requirement by law to use this item, however adult supervision is recommended at all times."

Some air guns look like realistic weapons but the retailer restricts their sale to people that can prove a legitimate use such as membership of shooting clubs, theatre or re-enactment groups.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said the figures were 'absolutely shocking'.

He said: "I'm sure many of my constituents will be very disturbed about such an increase in the misuse of air weapons.

"I think this is something that's going unchecked and you have to look into whether these air guns are getting into the hands of very young people.

"I'm not sure the checks on the sale of air weapons are sufficiently robust and maybe judges should be giving tougher sentences, particularly in the light of an escalation in this sort of crime in Staffordshire."

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that of the offences causing injuries, there were 25 in 2012/13, 25 in 2013/14 and 41 in 2012/13.

Of the four serious injuries, two involved paintball guns.

Christopher Graffius, director of communications for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation said: "To reduce air gun crime we need to educate people that it is serious and that the guns should be treated with respect. There are some 36 laws dealing with them."

Simon Barber, of the National Small-bore Rifle Association, which represents shooting in sport, said: "It is very sad if air guns are being used in this way. These figures will almost certainly relate to people using them outside of regulated situations."