Our readers today will no doubt be shocked by the shotgun attack we've reported on.

The incident at a birthday party on Oxford's Barton estate has left a man needing hospital treatment but his injuries could have been a lot worse.

It comes not long after a teenage boy in Greater Leys was hit in the eye with a BB gun pellet, and he may now lose sight in one eye.

But police chiefs have been quick to point out that these are rare occurrences in Oxfordshire and say members of the public should not be unduly alarmed.

And we agree.

No doubt there'll be cries from some areas of the community that gun crime is rising, and any minute now we're going to be in the same league as Manchester's Moss Side or even New York's Bronx.

But that's simply not true and there's no evidence to back up any fears that Oxfordshire has a growing trend of gun violence.

One way of reassuring the public would be to hold further weapons amnesties.

One held by Thames Valley Police earlier this year certainly got results.

More than 100 guns, including replica weapons, were handed in or seized, and the haul ranged from pump-action shotguns to plastic toy revolvers.

While amnesties are never going to remove all illegal firearms from circulation, they can reduce the numbers.

At the same time, police can liaise with local schools to inform pupils about the dangers of such weapons, including replica guns.

Community leaders and ordinary members of the public can also contact the police if they know of the whereabouts of an illegal weapon.

It is perhaps easier not to get involved - but a quick phone call from you could help to prevent another shooting.