NORTH Vancouver RCMP are warning parents and youth after seeing a marked increase in youth carrying weapons in the community.

In a two-week span, the North Vancouver RCMP’s Youth Support Team (YST) has had over 10 interactions with youth who were carrying airsoft guns, knives, or homemade weapons. In one of these instances, YST officers were conducting proactive patrols on a local trail and located youth who were in possession of makeshift weapons. In another, YST officers confronted youth with knives and homemade tasers near school property.

“We are extremely concerned with the increase in weapons we are seeing youth carrying,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for North Vancouver RCMP, on Tuesday. “Weapons such as these can cause disagreements to spiral out of control and can result in an escalated police response that has the potential to ultimately place the public, the youth, and the police in harm’s way.”

Police are asking parents to have discussions with their kids on the dangers of carrying weapons.

“We take the carrying of weapons seriously and should a youth be found in possession of a weapon they may face significant consequences including a criminal charge,” said Constable Paul Reece with the North Vancouver RCMP’s Youth Support Team. “We encourage parents to have conversations about these types of incidents and reinforce that carrying weapons can only cause harm; there is no upside.”

Possession of an airsoft gun is legal, but criminal charges can be laid if it is concealed or used to threaten, intimidate or assault others, police pointed out.