A CONCERNED mum whose children were shot at with a BB gun said it could be only a matter of time before troublemakers try to obtain life-threatening firearms.

Helen Moyle, of Gibson Close, revealed the fear after her sons Mark, six, and Sean, 11, were targeted while playing out on a green near Dinan Way last Tuesday, July 7, by a man, aged between 18 and 20.

The boys picked up a number of injuries after being shot.

Mark, who was screaming and crying, was hit in the stomach leaving a heavy red mark and Sean sustained a bruise to his bottom.

Helen said: “With this kind of thing happening, it begs the question what is going to happen next. Will it be a real gun?

“People don’t seem to worry about anyone.

“It seems youths are picking up weapons just like they are in other areas dogged with crime. They think it’s funny, but it isn’t.”

As well as Mark and Sean, another boy, aged 13 was also shot at while playing out on a green.

It is believed the shooter was standing in the communal area of flats in Cheshire Road.

The offender was described as being a white man, slim to medium build with a shaved head.

He was wearing a distinctive black jacket with red panels underneath each arm.

In addition, he may have been wearing a scarf over the lower part of his face.

Helen was thankful neither of her sons was hit in the eye.

She added: “A few more people have come forward with reports of such incidents, so it seems this kind of thing is happening a lot at the moment near Dinan Way.

“What worries me more and more is when will they use real guns, because I can see it happening.”

Ian Schofield, a response officer from Exmouth police, helped try to trace the offender.

He said: “If someone is out and about firing a BB gun in public, this constitutes being an offence for causing alarm, harassment or distress.

“The thing that bothers me is that young kids should be able to play out in the sun in a safe environment.”

Sergeant Phil Godfrey, from Exmouth police, said he had no concern over people trying to get hold of firearms.

“It is not the case that people are trying to do this. Exmouth is a safe place to live.”

Anyone with information about the BB gun incident should call Devon and Cornwall police on 08452 777444, quoting crime reference number KE/10/1620.