Avon and Somerset Police is urging people to hand in unwanted guns to a Bristol station, as part of a two-week 'surrender' of firearms.
The force is appealing for anyone with guns, which are "often overlooked and forgotten in people's homes", to surrender them at designated police stations in an effort to tackle gun crime. Officers say anyone who hands in firearms or ammunition during the surrender will not face prosecution for the illegal possession of a gun, and can remain anonymous.
This surrender, which is part of a national effort, gives people the chance to dispose of guns in a safe place, and will be running for two weeks until Sunday, May 29. Police say that while firearms can be surrendered at any police station, they'd encourage the public to visit the designated stations listed below:
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• Patchway Police Centre: open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday
• Bridgwater Police Centre: open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday
• Yeovil: open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday
• Trinity Road: open 10am-6pm Monday to Friday
Superintendent Olly Cosgrove said: “While the number of incidents involving firearms remains low in our area, we need to stay focussed on the fight against gun crime. We use various tactics to locate weapons which have fallen into the wrong hands – but we need the public’s help.
“This surrender period allows people to hand in unwanted or illegal firearms or ammunition to the police. It stops these weapons falling into the hands of criminals and being used to cause harm in our communities.
“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 you call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers do not ask for your name or trace your call
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