POLICE LAUNCH GUN AMNESTY

GUNS can be handed into Nuneaton Police Station during an amnesty to get illegal and unwanted firearms off the streets.

Anyone with any firearms can simply hand them in at the Vicarage Street-based station over the next two weeks as part of a nationwide drive to cut gun crime.

Nuneaton has been chosen as one of just three stations across Warwickshire to be chosen to take part in the amnesty.

It is the brainchild of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) and all forces in England and Wales, including Warwickshire Police Force, is taking part.

During the last amnesty in 2014, 113 weapons were handed in across Warwickshire, the vast majority of these were not being used for criminal use. Chief Inspector (CI) Mark Colquhoun explained that while there is not a ‘significant’ gun crime problem locally, any firearm off the street is worthwhile. “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,” CI Colquhoun said. “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. Every firearm surrendered is one less weapon that can be used to commit crime.”

The amnesty will run until Sunday, November 26 and it has been stressed that people surrendering firearms will not need 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 it has historical value, it may be donated to a museum.

Mark Colquhoun The whole aim is to remove any firearms that could potentially be used in crime from public circulation.