Under current laws people must be 17 to buy an air gun, but the government could be asked to raise that limit.

Following an increase in the use of air guns in crimes across the county the authority is considering asking the Home Secretary to act.

Authority chairman John Clarke said greater control over the weapons is required.

Fractures and wounds

He said: "Some people are saying move it to18, but I think given the extra three years to 21 people are a little bit more mature."

Mr Clarke described air guns as "lethal weapons" and said they were being used in robberies.

In 1998 to 1999, official statistics show there were almost 17,000 firearms offences in the UK, 60% of which involved air guns.

The following year, air gun offences increased by 17%.

One in five offences resulted injury and in almost one in 10, the victim had to be admitted to hospital because of shock, fracture, or multiple wounds.