THERE was a heavy police response presence last night following reports of children with weapons.

Two armed units, one dog unit, two local units and a police helicopter descended on Rickney Lane near Hailsham.

However, Police soon realised that the weapons in question were catapults and slingshots.

They were given a talking to and sent away in the care of family.

All units stood down by 9.15pm.

The Argus: Heavy police presence at Rickney Lane, Hailsham.Heavy police presence at Rickney Lane, Hailsham.

Slingshots are only classed as offensive weapons by ill use or bad location.

The law states that if someone is carrying a catapult with intent to cause injury, they may be liable to prosecution under section one of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, which makes it an offence to carry an offensive weapon in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Catapults were not added to the offensive weapons list and it falls down to the intent of the individual and scenario to determine if the catapult in question is an offensive weapon, although this doesn’t mean that police officers will not default to the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.

Slingshots are often used by people for killing rodents and are also used by anglers.

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