[Rocol]

A game where people roam the city looking to "assassinate" each other with water guns has kicked off in London.

Street Wars runs for three weeks and is described on its website as a "24/7, watergun assassination tournament".

However, contestants have been warned they could be committing criminal offences or spark panic on the Underground.

British Transport Police (BTP) issued a warning ahead of the competition and said that people with waterguns resembling real firearms could cause "genuine fear", in light of the July 7 terrorist bombings.

Superintendent Bob Pacey said: "The transport system is not the place for this sort of activity.

"Those thinking of taking part should consider that they may be committing criminal offences and are putting themselves and others in danger."

"The sight of people carrying what appears to a be a firearm on the London Underground system, one year after the tragic events of July 2005 will cause passengers and staff genuine fear," the force warned.

"Calls to the police may lead to disruption to services and the deployment of armed officers. Any offences committed will be treated seriously."
The tournament has already taken place in New York City, Vancouver, Vienna, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, according to the StreetWars website.

Contestants are given a picture of their intended target, their name, home and work address and contact information.

The website says: "Upon receipt of these items, your (or your team's) mission is to find and kill (by way of water gun, water balloon or super soaker) your target(s).

"You can hunt your target down any way you see fit; you can pose as a delivery person and jack them when they open the door, disguise yourself and take them out on the street, etc."

Whoever successfully shoots their target inherits their target and so on until someone retrieves the envelope with their, or their team's picture inside.

The website says around 150 people took part last year, with a cash prize of around $500 (£270).

Scotland Yard has also warned about the potential risks of the event and said it could result in the deployment of armed officers.

In a statement, the force said: "In addition actions like this can result in a waste of police time and divert essential operational police resources away from real life situations."

What an absolutely stupid idea, imo .. with the way things are at the moment, with gun crime and terrorist threats, somebody is going to end up getting shot, for real, by the Armed Police