People urged to hand in firearms to keep guns off streets

A FORTNIGHT-LONG firearms surrender aimed at reducing the number of guns in circulation across Derbyshire has been launched.

From Thursday last week, until Sunday, May 29, anyone who owns or is in possession of a firearm of any type, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, air weapons or imitations – is invited to bring it in to Derbyshire police.

The force uses the scheme to stop firearms from getting into the wrong hands and being used by offenders to commit crimes on our streets or anywhere else in the country.

As well as urging people to hand over firearms they do not legally hold, officers also want people to hand in any antique weapons or legally owned guns that licence holders no longer want or need.

Inspector Ellen Lovatt, who leads Derbyshire’s Armed Response Unit, said: “We are often asked when embarking on firearms surrenders if we actually think it will have an impact on the use of guns in criminal activity in Derbyshire and beyond.

“The answer is, undoubtedly, yes.

“Whilst we acknowledge that those using firearms for a criminal purpose are unlikely to surrender them; what we do know is lawabiding members of the public will.

“Recent changes to firearms legislation mean that members of the public may be unaware that their possession of previously legal firearms may now be an offence.

“This surrender is part of ongoing work to give people the chance to hand over guns that they do not want, no longer need, or should not have in the first place.

“By working together with the public, we can cut the number of guns in circulation and keep our streets and communities safe.”

The last firearms surrender in Derbyshire was in 2019, and saw 30 firearms handed in – these included six shotguns, a Browning 9mm Pistol and six imitation firearms.

People who have guns or other items such as crossbows, CS gas and ammunition, can call 101 to arrange collection.