The Tactical Firearms Unit responds to
firearms incidents across the county and is available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. The unit are based in Poole but patrols are
carried out throughout the county in specialised Armed Response
Vehicles.
We assist local colleagues and Safer
Neighbourhood Teams in both armed and unarmed roles.
In addition, we take part in pro-active and
educational campaigns such as the ‘imitations weapon surrender’
that was held in 2008.
Imitation weapons include BB guns (discharging plastic, wax or ball
bearing ‘shots’), blank firing pistols, cap guns, collectibles,
‘air soft’ guns (which fire plastic ball bearings) and other items
that resemble a gun.
Imitation weapons are so realistic they are
often indistinguishable from a real weapon and can cause great fear
and distress. The penalty for carrying an imitation weapon in
public carries a maximum penalty of 12 months
imprisonment.
It is illegal to carry an imitation, or real
weapon, in a public place and the surrender was an opportunity to
hand in any imitation weapons without having to leave their
details.
If you have an imitation weapon we
strongly suggest you hand it in, by taking it to your local police
station in a sealed and covered bag carried by an
adult.
A poster, to
highlight the penalties of carrying an imitation firearm in
public, is available to download by following this link.