Overview
- Two boys who found what they thought was a BB gun in woods near Wadhurst Gardens on Tuesday took it home where it fired once and left an 11-year-old with a head graze.
- Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the item was a real pistol rather than a BB or airsoft toy.
- Police were alerted just before 5:30pm Tuesday and they set up a scene watch that still covers parts of Westwood Nature Reserve as searches continue.
- Officers are carrying out patrols and house-to-house inquiries, and they said the boys' families reported the find quickly.
- Chief Inspector Chris Douglas said the priority is tracing the firearm's source because such weapons can be used to threaten or cause serious harm.