Air gun injuries fall to lowest in four years

NINE people needed hospital treatment in the Lothians after being shot with air guns over the course of a year, new figures have shown.

The victims underwent treatment for their wounds between April 2009 and March last year, according to a parliamentary answer by Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The figure is the lowest in the Lothians for the last four years. In 2006-7, 15 people were hospitalised by air weapons, while the number was 12 in 2007-8 and ten in 2008-9. The figures were released following a parliamentary question by Labour MSP Cathy Jamieson.

Official figures showed air weapons were involved in 150 incidents in 2008-9 in the Lothians, including one serious assault. There were 91 reports of vandalism using the guns, as well as 18 of "reckless conduct".