West Mercia Police officers were called to an incident in Leominster overnight.
Armed officers were called to the town at shortly after midnight.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police told Your Herefordshire:
“We were called to reports of three youths wearing balaclavas with what was suspected to be a firearm walking in Broad Street, Leominster at 12.40am this morning (Friday 1 August).
“Armed officers were deployed to the scene, assisted by an NPAS helicopter in the search.
“They located three 16-year-old boys – two at the scene and one at his home address.
“A BB gun was recovered from a nearby bin.
“Words of advice were given to the boys who were returned home to their parents.”
