One of Scotland's top independent schools is to install a new CCTV system after youths fired a BB gun into the playground, hitting one child in the face.
One of Scotland's top independent schools is to install a new CCTV system after youths fired a BB gun into the playground, hitting one child in the face.
Shots were taken at pupils of Hutchesons' Grammar School in Glasgow by a group of boys who cycled past the playground on BMX bikes during lunch hour. One Primary 5 pupil was hit close to his eye by one of the pellets.
The £8000-a-year school has written to parents about the incident. It is understood that the boy who fired the gun could be as young as nine, according to witnesses.
The young victim suffered only minor injuries but police are taking the incident "extremely seriously" and are still investigating.
Hutchesons' rector Ken Greig said: "The incident caused distress, particularly to our younger children, and highlights the dangers which can be caused by the misuse of these potentially harmful toy guns."
The Hutchesons' incident comes amid heightened concerns about the widespread sale of BB guns, either in shops or by mail order.
BB guns are powered by a compressed spring and are not as powerful as air guns. None the less, manufacturers warn users to wear goggles and not to shoot at other people.
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "This is exactly the kind of shocking incident that reminds us that the misuse of firearms can have tragic consequences, not to mention the fear and alarm they can cause in communities.
"Glasgow and Scotland have seen too many tragedies where children have been killed or injured by air weapons and imitation firearms. They are weapons, not toys."
Mr MacAskill has asked Westminster for new powers to allow Scotland to license air guns. He has considerable cross-party support for the measure following the death of baby Andrew Morton, who was killed in Glasgow three years ago by a ricocheting air gun pellet. BB pellets, experts believe, are particularly likely to ricochet.
Hutchesons' insists it has an "excellent relationship" with its neighbours, but some parents have claimed that pupils are spat at and beaten up after leaving the school premises.
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Green of Strathclyde Police said yesterday: "It is alarming that children are getting their hands on these weapons. Our message is very important: we need people, especially parents, to understand that these weapons are not toys, and under no circumstances should parents be purchasing these weapons to be played with as toys. They have killed and can seriously injure people."
