Hundreds of weapons handed in to police

All of the North West’s police forces have joined together to appeal for people to “Give up the Gun” with the surrender of firearms and ammunition, with the promise that they will not be prosecuted.

In addition Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to £1,000 for information that leads to the recovery of a firearm and an arrest and conviction.

And with another week to go, the haul to date includes:

* Five shotguns

* Three handguns/pistols

* Four starting pistols

* Five air pistols

* Seven air rifles

* Two BB Guns

* 235 different types of ammunition, including shotgun ammunition and historic ammunition.

It has been almost two years since the last firearms surrender, where forces ask members of the public to give unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

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

Police say the surrender gives the chance to dispose of the firearm or ammunition with no questions asked, by simply taking it to a local police station and handing it in – before a police operation to retrieve them takes place.

The campaign lasts until 11.59pm on Monday April 18 and means that those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon surrender and can remain anonymous.

GMP Asst Chief Constable John O’Hare said: “The fight against gun crime is stronger than ever and we are working with partners and our local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.

“We use various tactics to locate weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands – but we need the public’s help.

“If you know where a weapon is being kept illegally, now is your chance to give up the gun, or tell us anonymously where it is.

“You will not be prosecuted and you could save a life.”

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to £1,000 for information that lead to the recovery of a firearm and an arrest and conviction.