Missing air weapons and pellet guns from a large-scale burglary at a garden centre near Truro could pose a serious risk to the public.

Police in Truro want to recover the outstanding weapons, having already recovered a huge haul following the burglary at the Fishing and Shooting shop at Carnon Downs Garden Centre last month.

However, seven air rifles and 11 BB pistols, including replica hand pistols, are among items that remain at large.

Inspector Mark Richards, from Truro police, said while all the weapons were "ordinarily" perfectly legal and "non-lethal" in the wrong hands they were potentially dangerous.

"We are concerned not just at the fact that this is a burglary but that this is a burglary where some potentially dangerous weapons could be used in potentially dangerous circumstances," he said.

"Some of them are replicas of proper hand guns and in the wrong hands, at the wrong time in the wrong circumstance, they could frighten the hell out of somebody and potentially put the individual who is holding them in a very dangerous predicament."

Approximately £30,000 worth of property was stolen from the shop overnight on May 25.

Mr Richards said: "It's got to be obvious to anyone who has bought any of these weapons that they have been stolen because I have no doubt that they are going to be slightly damaged perhaps and certainly sold in very dubious circumstances.

"For that reason we would urge anybody who has any knowledge of where they are or been offered for sale or has got any to come forward.

"We are interested in recovering the weapons rather than necessarily looking to prosecute someone who has innocently come into possession of one of them now."

Hand pistols were made illegal in 1996 following the school shooting at Dunblane. Any replicas produced in public or used in criminal activity would prompt an armed police response and there is at least a risk that those officers may have no choice but to use "lethal force", the inspector said.

Mr Richards added: "I have seen fewer more dangerous weapons taken in similar situations but I have never seen a haul of weapons of that size."

Detective Constable Matthew Cobb added: "We would like to reassure the public that the items are air and BB weapons, although they can be dangerous if not handled properly. We believe they may have been sold throughout Cornwall."

A 34-year-old man was arrested in Redruth on suspicion of burglary and has been released on bail until August 18.

Anyone with information or who has been offered them for sale is asked to contact DC Matthew Cobb on 101 quoting crime reference CR/036509/15.

Alternatively people can pass on information to Crimestoppers anonymously via the online form on Crimestoppers-uk.org or call on 0800 555 111.

Pictured: Weapons stolen from a burglary at Carnon Downs garden centre police in Truro would still like to recover.