Police launch firearms amnesty in Shropshire and Mid Wales

West Mercia Police and Dyfed-Powys Police are supporting a national campaign asking people to hand in their unwanted guns and ammunition.

In Shropshire, people will be able to surrender their firearms anonymously at Malinsgate Police Station in Telford and Shrewsbury Police Station.

Llandrindod Wells Police Station, Newtown Police Station and Brecon Police Station will be among the locations used by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The national initiative is being co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), with all forces in England and Wales taking part.

The aim is to reduce the number of illegal or unlicensed firearms in circulation and to decrease the opportunities for firearms to be used in crimes.

During the last surrender in 2014, more than 6,000 items were handed into police nationally.

These included hand guns, rifles, shotguns, antique guns and imitation firearms, as well as ammunition.

People surrendering firearms will not be required to leave any information but if police suspect a weapon may have been involved in a crime, they will examine it for evidence.

All surrendered weapons will be destroyed or in exceptional circumstances, if the weapon has historical value, it may be donated to a museum.

Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars.

For anyone found guilty of possession with intent to supply, it can lead to a life sentence.

Chief Inspector Mark Colquhoun, of West Mercia Police, said: “Compared with other areas of the country we don’t have a significant gun problem, but we are keen to support this national campaign to help keep our communities safe. The whole aim is to remove any firearms that could potentially be used in a crime from public circulation.

“Our policing area has a large number of licensed firearms owners, and this is also an opportunity for them to hand in old weapons or guns they no longer require.

"The majority of the firearms handed in during the last surrender were older items that the owner no longer needed and wanted to safely dispose of.

“People may have older or historical weapons stored in lofts or garages which have been inherited or passed down through the family, and these can also be disposed of during the surrender.

"While these are not being used for criminal activities, they can and sometimes do fall into the wrong hands and can then be used to commit crimes.

“By participating in the surrender, people can be confident that items have been safely disposed of."

Deputy Chief Constable Darren Davies, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “We are fortunate that gun crime is not something we often deal with in Dyfed-Powys Police.

"However, guns and ammunition don’t recognise borders. As well as taking them off our streets we also want to stop local weapons travelling in to neighbouring communities.

“The national 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. We want as many weapons as possible and would encourage people to hand them in.

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

"You will not be prosecuted upon surrender and you could save a life.

“One weapon off the streets is one less that can be used to harm or threaten our communities. We will use all of the powers and information available to us to locate this criminality and put a stop to it for good.”

Weapons and ammunition can be surrendered at any police station but anyone handing in a firearm, ammunition or any other weapon during the surrender is advised to check the opening times of their station by calling 101.