PSNI seize crossbow and airguns in Antrim

A crossbow and airguns have been recovered by police during planned raids in Co Antrim, it emerged today.

Officers also netted firework rockets up to four feet in length, bangers and 98 replica weapons including a fake Heckler and Koch MP5 machine gun.

Investigators said the estimated £14,000 stash, discovered on Thursday in two probes in north Belfast and Carrickfergus, had the potential to kill but added it was unlikely to be linked to organised crime.

Inspector David Moore said: “It is highly dangerous. If people are struck on the head or eye with these (pellets) they can also penetrate the skin.

“It does have the potential to kill.”

There were £2,000 worth of fireworks netted and police are keen to talk to one person. Detectives also discovered four airguns as well as the crossbow and bolts.

Mr Moore said the fireworks were not certified to British standards and could be lethal.

There have been 69 people injured in firework-related incidents in the North, including 30 children.

The senior officer added: “We believe all these items were destined for unlawful sale and we are concerned about unlawful sale to juveniles.

“Certainly there are a lot of people who do this as a cottage industry and in this case we are probably in that area.”

Mr Moore added many of the replicas had a clear barrel which showed fake bullets, terrifying if used in a hold-up.

“The untrained eye can’t tell them apart. You are effectively looking at something which you will assume does the real thing,” he said.