The airgun gangsters use to kill

An airgun which can be turned into a deadly pistol firing live ammunition now accounts for half of gun seizures in London.

Figures from the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) suggest the popularity with criminals of the Brocock ME38 Magnum air pistol has rocketed, with thousands thought to be in circulation.

Although the weapon looks fearsome, it can be bought legally over the counter for little more than £120. It is designed to fire pellets using compressed air cartridges, but gangsters are modifying the chamber to shoot powerful .22 and even .38 rifle bullets.

NCIS spokesman Alan Shiers said: "I would say in excess of 50per cent of recovered weapons, especially in London, are this type of weapon - the Brocock.

"It's a major problem at the moment and is becoming more and more prevalent throughout the UK. We're having reports of this type of weapon being recovered not just in London, where the problem started, but also in Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and all over the country."

Mr Shiers, who has been collating information from police forces across the country for the past two years, described the figure of 50percent as a "conservative estimate".

Last year, a Brocock was involved in the attempted murder of two Metropolitan police officers in south London, said Scotland Yard.

A large number of the weapons have also been recovered during raids aimed at quelling the spate of black-on-black violence in the capital as part of Operation Trident.

In March, pop star Ashley Walters, a member of So Solid Crew, is facing a jury at Southwark Crown Court charged with illegally possessing a Brocock with intent to cause fear after an alleged incident involving a traffic warden.

Bradford taxi driver Mohammed Basharat was killed with a converted Brocock in October, one of several murders involving the weapon across the UK.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has called for the Brocock to be banned from sale in Britain. It is a preferred weapon of Yardies and gangland hitmen because it is compact yet powerful enough to kill at close range.

They are imported and distributed by Birmingham-based company Brocock before being sold through registered dealers.

The firm said in a statement: "We are advised by the police that some illegally converted weapons have been recovered. We are cooperating with the police in every way, particularly Operation Trident."

ACPO's firearms adviser David McCrone, who is the Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said new legislation would be required before Home Secretary David Blunkett could outlaw Brococks. He added: "There is evidence which would justify banning them."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The ease with which this firearm can be converted is wholly unacceptable."