Real or fake? That is the split-section decision police are faced with when confronted with firearms such as these seized on Saturday near Helston.

The haul was made by a specialist police firearms team in the Carleen Bridge area after carrying out a warrant.

Tactical firearms commander Ian Drummond-Smith posted the picture to social media with the message: "Some weapons seized near Helston today by armed police."

He followed this up with a close-up of one of the guns, posing the question: "Real or fake? One second to decide."

In this case the guns are a mixture of air rifles and what is believed to be blank firing pistols. But anyone who takes too long to make the decision could find themselves paying the ultimate price.

Cdr Drummond-Smith said: "Aim this fake at anyone and they'll think it's real. If that person is an armed officer they [the person aiming] will likely be shot."

He added that the close-up was of a blank firing pistol, which was not an offence to have in a private place unless the person had criminal intent.

A police spokesperson said two air rifles and five imitation handguns were seized.

She added: "As they were held on private property and there's no criminal intent, possession of these weapons is not a criminal offence.

"However, the weapons were seized and are currently held by the force due to ongoing concerns for the owner's welfare."