Toy makers defend bank robbery game

Makers of a bank robbery toy set - aimed at children aged from four to ten - say it helps teach youngsters 'right from wrong'.

German manufacturs Playmobil have been slammed by the anti-gun lobby for their £35 'Bank and Safe' toy pack.

It comes with everything needed to simulate a bank robbery, including armed robbers and a safe full of gold.

Danny Bryan of Communities Against Gun and Knife Crime, said: "We don't want to be encouraging young people to look at these sorts of things.

"I think it is horrendous that young people are given all these images to shape them. It is sending out the wrong message."

But Playmobil marketing manager Jamie Dickinson responded: "We have been producing police play sets for 35 years...

"One thing our customer feedback tells us is that it is important that children can be taught, through play, the importance of recognising good from evil and 'baddies' from 'goodies'.

"Our 'cops' and 'robbers', in the guise of policemen, police cars, criminals and jails, enable these scenarios to be created.

"We fully support creating a safe environment for all children and would hope that in their own small way our sets deliver this in a secure, but believable, way."