Britain has introduced a bill to ban imitation guns, and tackle alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour in a bid to crackdown on violent crime, reports Xinhua.

The Violent Crime Reduction Bill unveiled Wednesday also proposes to increase the age limit for buying knives from 16 years to 18 years, and give powers to teachers to search students for weapons.
 

The proposals are part of the government's attempts to restore "respect" in communities, town centres and schools.

"There is an increasing public concern around relatively low-level crime and anti-social behaviour escalating to more serious offences because people are under the influence of alcohol or carrying weapons," said Home Office minister Hazel Blears.

Binge dinking-related violence is also addressed in the bill with proposed plans such as suspending alcohol sales in bars that persistently sell to minors.

Drinking ban orders could see troublemakers banned from specific areas and bars for up to two years.

The planned legislation envisages higher sentences for carrying imitation guns, and tougher manufacturing standards to prevent replicas from being converted to fire real ammunition. Last year offences involving replica firearms went up 66 percent.

"It is often almost impossible to tell the difference between a real gun and a replica," said Paul Robinson, chief superintendent who leads Scotland Yard's special firearms operational command unit.

Air weapons are also being targeted, with the age limit for buying or firing one without supervision being raised from 17 years to 18 years.

New powers to create designated Alcohol Disorder Zones, first aired in January, are being pursued in the bill. The law would give police the authority to ban the sale of alcohol for up to 48 hours in pubs where under-18s have been served.