Amateur dramatic company has to inform police it will use plastic swords

An amateur dramatic company has had to inform police it will use plastic swords in its forthcoming pantomime Robinson Crusoe. In addition, it has had to promise to keep the toy cutlasses under lock and key when they are not in use, and give an assurance that they will not be used maliciously.

The Carnon Downs Drama Group was alerted to new legislation on the use of weapons in productions, including replica weapons, by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

The group looked at the legislation in detail and found it had to inform the police that it had no malicious intent and planned to use replica weapons among its stage props for the production.



The group also had to ensure it made adequate arrangements for their security, and that the person named to the police as being responsible for the weapons accompanies them whenever they are moved.

Co-director of the group's annual pantomime, Elaine Gummow has telephoned the police who have noted the drama group's intentions. They have in turn asked her to inform the fire brigade.

Neighbourhood beat officer PC Nigel Hyde said: "I gather we've made a note and it seems a bit unusual. But other forms of replica weapons have been used to carry out crimes and the consequences have been serious."