Teen arrested for waving imitation gun at New Plymouth library

Police arrived at the scene to find a teenager with a BB pistol. Photo / File

A 16-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly waving an imitation pistol outside New Plymouth Library this afternoon.

At 3.37pm police were advised of a male carrying a gun by the library on Brougham St.

When police arrived on scene, they found the youth with a BB pistol with numerous pellets in his pocket.

He was now charged with unlawful possession of an imitation firearm.

Police advised anyone carrying any sort of firearm, real or not, in a public place could place themselves at risk.

A spokesperson stated the makers of plastic replica guns make guns look very realistic and it was hard to determine if they were real or fake.

Police officers attending these types of incidents treat all weapons as being real and capable of serious harm.