Posted on 07/25/2006 5:24:32 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
LONDONERS began a citywide role playing game where people roam the capital to shoot each other with water pistols - and police warned that contestants might be committing criminal offences.
"StreetWars" have already taken place in New York, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Vienna - described on their website by tournament organisers as "A three week long, 24/7, watergun assassination tournament".
As part of the game, participants are handed a manila envelope containing the details of their "target", including their name, home and work addresses, along with a picture, and are assigned with the task of "assassinating" them with a watergun.
Upon being "killed", the person who has just been eliminated from the game hands details of their target to the successful "assassin".
The last person left standing - or perhaps, still dry - after three weeks is declared the winner, and is given a cash prize which is usually around $US500 ($660) according to the tournament website.
Players are encouraged to track down their target in any way they see fit, with suggestions including posing as a delivery person, or putting on a disguise to fire on the target on the street.
London's Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police both issued stark warnings to participants before the start of the game, with the BTP calling those taking part "irresponsible".
A spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said: "Some water pistols, like replica firearms, can look very real and if a member of the public spots someone acting suspiciously ... a seemingly innocent bit of fun can escalate with armed officers responding.
"In addition, actions like this can result in a waste of police time and divert essential operational police resources away from real life situations."
The BTP, meanwhile, said it was advising all water pistol-armed contestants not to board the London Underground trains or local overground rail services, and told them they should consider that it may appear as though they were committing criminal offences.
"The transport system is not the place for this sort of activity," said Superintendent Bob Pacey.
Drawing attention to the terrorist suicide bombings on London's transport network in July 2005, the BTP warned that the sight of people carrying water pistols that looked like real guns could cause "genuine fear".
dude, this going on all over this country. My sister and her friends are comical in their fear of their "assasins." Just kids having some creative fun.
We played that 25 years ago in Atlanta - it did cause some issue - one of the players was a security guard and I shot him on the job - really pissed him off - I took more risks back then.
Oh for crying out loud
That actually sounds like fun! If I were a Brit, I'd sign up.
We played this in college and it was pretty fun.
But in a city, giving out your name, address, picture to an unknown individual who is supposed to stalk you?
Sorry, that's a wee bit creepy.
Right.... the concerned citizen will whip out his cellphone and call the coppers who will instantly materialize and a mistake the water pistol for a real firearm which could result in a response that endangers innocent life.
And all this transpires from the moment that the squirt gun is revealed to the split second before the trigger is pulled revealing it to be an honest to God Squirt gun!
Having said all that, any one brandishing a realistic toy pistol in a menacing way is looking for trouble
It's a game of killer - for the love of God, Montressor - my schoolteachers ran it when I was little.
When they soak a Brazilian kid by mistake, I bet they don't make up a bunch of lies to cover themselves. And he can fight back.
I played this game in junior high back in 1986. It was a lot of fun, but I got "assassinated" right away.
APf
I wonder when the Bobbies are going to be required to carry soft foam-rubber nightsticks instead of their wooden ones?
I just KNOW that it's only a matter of time.
Today water guns and kitchen knives, tomorrow sticks and rocks.
When the time comes for the average Brit to defend himself, expect cowering in corners and lots of tears.
For more than 25 years.
Sounds REALLY fun.
Wasn't Anthony Edwards in a movie about this sort of thing?
Another reason to hate Europe other than their anti Jewish racism.
Another reason to hate Europe other than their anti Jewish racism.
Oh, for the days of merry olde England.
If they switch to wearing those nifty black pajamas they can call themselves "The Nerf Ninjas".
The yobs should simply topple over in fear. ;)
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