A group of young people were taken into custody after allegedly pointing toy guns at members of the public at a night market in Auckland last night.
At around 10.40pm, a report that youths pointed a "firearm" at a bus driver at Botany Town Centre was made to police.
Because the group was believed to have a gun, armed police responded and found a group of five youths.
They had discarded the gun before officers arrived. It was eventually found and confirmed to be an "imitation gel blaster".
A second gel launcher was found in one of their backpacks, as well as a "small quantity" of cannabis. Both were seized.
“As officers pieced together the events of the evening, it was revealed that the group had pointed the imitation firearms at two other members of the public,” Inspector Rod Honan said.
The group were taken to Ormiston Police Station, where they were spoken to before being released.
A victim also said that when the youths discarded the blaster, another member of the public picked it up, pointing it at them.
The man, a 38-year-old, was found and taken into custody. He was arrested for breaching his release conditions.
Honan said the incident was a "timely reminder" that pointing fake guns would initiate a "strong response" that could result in charges.
“Police take any report of the presence of firearms in the community very seriously.
“The group’s actions last night showed a complete lack of common sense.
“Police would like to remind the public that it is an offence under the Arms Act to possess or use an imitation firearm without a lawful, proper and sufficient purpose.”
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