Police set to get deadly weapons off our streets

Police in Lancashire are appealing for people to '˜Give up the Gun' with a two week surrender of firearms and ammunition, starting at today.
Amnesty: Guns collected during the last amnestyAmnesty: Guns collected during the last amnesty
Amnesty: Guns collected during the last amnesty

The gun amnesty – being run by five North West police forces – begins at 8am and officers are hoping there will be a similar response to the last such operation.

It’s been around 18 months since Lancashire Constabulary last asked members of the public to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.

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A total of 103 guns including shotguns, air guns, pistols, rifles and revolvers were handed in along with 3,419 rounds of ammunition during the 2014 surrender, codenamed Operation Holster, and it is hoped that this year even more items will be given to police.

Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes, police say. Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to harm and intimidate their local communities.

The surrender gives the chance to dispose of the firearm or ammunition by taking it to a local police station and handing it in.

The surrender will be held for two weeks, ending on Monday April 18 and will allow the public to hand in unwanted, unlicensed weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

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During the two-week period those surrendering firearms may not face prosecution for the illegal possession and can remain anonymous. Each firearm handed in will be assessed by firearms officers, with some weapons being forensically checked for evidence.

Chief Inspector Mark Baines said: “Following on from the success of the 2014 surrender, taking more than 100 firearms off our streets, this is another opportunity for people to do the right thing and get rid of these potentially deadly weapons.

“The message really is simple – give up the gun, help us save lives and keep our communities gun free.

“In Lancashire, we are fortunate that we do not have the same level of gun crime problems experienced by other areas but we are not complacent about gun crime which is why we are giving this opportunity for people to dispose of unwanted guns safely.”

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Anyone handing in a firearm or ammunition during this opportunity is advised to check the opening times of their nearest station before they set off. Details can be found on the force website www.lancashire.police.uk

Anyone wishing to hand-in firearms should put them in a box or strong bag and put ammunition in a separate box or bag. Never attempt to take an uncovered weapon out in public.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms call Lancashire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information that leads to the recovery of a firearm and an arrest and conviction.