Earlier this week, on Tuesday, January 27, Pontypool police responded to reports of youths using slingshots. A total of six slingshots were seized, and the youths were ‘dealt with.’A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “We would like to remind the public that the use of such items in a public place can be classed as an offensive weapon and carrying one of these items without reasonable excuse can lead to more serious police action,“We are still seeing the use of these items causing damage to residents’ property and the destruction of wildlife. We urge parents and carers to make sure that their children are not using slingshots/catapults in public.”Six slingshots seized in Gwent youth weapon case (Image: Gwent Police)This isn’t the first time that dangerous slingshot style weapons have posed a risk to the local Torfaen community. In January, police responded to reports of teenagers using slingshots to harm wildfowl at Two Locks Canal in Cwmbran and in December, an official statement was sent to parents and guardians through all schools in Torfaen, reminding them of the dangers these weapons pose.