[Aussie Dasher]

Sounds like a gross over-reaction from the overly PC pommy police...

[mockingbyrd]

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.

[tfecw]

"Sounds like a gross over-reaction from the overly PC pommy police."

Sounds typical from what comes out of the UK actually. Perhaps a water gun ban is in order, or strike at the root of the problem, water. If they got rid of that, then they could get rid of water guns and water balloons at the same time.

[gondramB]

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.

[Charlespg]

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".

Oh for crying out loud

[Ultra Sonic 007]

That actually sounds like fun! If I were a Brit, I'd sign up.

[JohnnyZ]

It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt.

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.

[mylife]

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.

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

[sig226]

It's a game of killer - for the love of God, Montressor - my schoolteachers ran it when I was little.

[AlexandriaDuke]

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.

[APFel]

I played this game in junior high back in 1986. It was a lot of fun, but I got "assassinated" right away.

APf

[EEDUDE]

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.

[onja]

Sounds REALLY fun.

[Virulas]

Wasn't Anthony Edwards in a movie about this sort of thing?

[Porterville]

Another reason to hate Europe other than their anti Jewish racism.

[Porterville]

Another reason to hate Europe other than their anti Jewish racism.

[RedRover]

Oh, for the days of merry olde England.

[jwparkerjr]

Perhaps an answer would be to market a line of water pistols designed specifically for this game. Something made of a bright, colorful plastic that would scream water gun and not the real thing.

Seems like a really fun game to me, but then I am the sort that would like that kind of thing. Like everything else in life there are those who will like it and those who will hate it. The answer is for these people to stay out of each other's way.

[Mac1]

"Sounds like a gross over-reaction from the overly PC pommy police..."

"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. "

Seriously, you do get the impression our police shoot first and ask questions later. It does look like armed UK police overreact; any situation involving the slightest hint of a firearm and a platoon of paramilitaries in black boilersuits turn up with HK MP5's and baseball caps (maybe an L96 sniper rifle and helicopter thrown in too). It seems that everybody shot is found to be armed with imitation weapons/air pistols/table legs just been repaired (there was a big case over that)/toys and was found to be nowhere near the threat perceived. Of course, if it walks, acts and sounds like a duck, then police have to assume it is one. It just seems the people shot had no idea how dangerous they were perceived to be & did something foolish.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Sounds like a gross over-reaction from the overly PC pommy police.

These days pulling a gun, even a water pistol, in a public place is likely to result in law enforcement reacting, possibly with tragic consequences.

[1rudeboy]

It's all fun and games until someone gets shot by the cops. Then, threads on the subject will be flooded by folks who will lambaste the police. Lambasted for the warning, lambasted for the outcome. The circle will be complete.

For the record, I'd love to play this game because I understand the risk. If anyone does not (including the participants in London), they are dreaming.