A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has become the first person in Bolton to be accused of possessing an air gun under new powers.

Police detained the youngster along with two friends aged 12 and 13, who were later released with a caution, after they were spotted brandishing pistols, which fire plastic pellets, on a Breightmet street.

And today police chiefs warned that no guns will be tolerated on Bolton's streets.

Sgt Carl Rimmer of Bolton Police said: "Anyone who we catch with these guns can expect to be prosecuted." The trio were seen firing the guns at the pavements in an area where residents have become plagued by youths shooting cars and windows with the guns.

Only one of the three will face punishment for possessing the gun because he had already been cautioned by police for the same crime.

Sgt Rimmer added: "We want to send out a clear message that we are ready to arrest people.

"These weapons might only fire pellets but they can damage property and injure people."

Police have warned that the incident, on the evening of August 6, could have sparked a full-scale security alert with armed police because even experienced firearms officers struggle to tell the difference between real guns and the pellet pistols.

The pistols are on sale at markets and car boot sales across Bolton for as little as £10 and carry no age restrictions.

Sgt Rimmer said: "They look very realistic and that's why people ring us up if they see kids playing with them in the street.

"Potentially, we will have to deal with sightings of the guns as a firearms situation and deploy armed officers."

The youths are the first people to be held by police since new laws came into effect earlier this year.

The law was changed because criminals had been converting imitation weapons to fire live ammunition.

The boy, who cannot be named, was bailed and will face magistrates on September 1.