Police have seized three illegal pistols from homes across the North East as part of a firearms crackdown.
A quantity of Class B drugs were also recovered during searches of addresses in Gosforth, North Shields Lemington and Hexham earlier this month.
Officers were acting on intelligence from partner agencies which suggested a number of firearms were being kept illegally.
Specialist firearms officers recovered pistols from addresses in Rydal Road, Gosforth , Falmouth Road, North Shields and Hallstile Bank, in Hexham. Officers also seized a quantity of drugs believed to be amphetamines from an address in Dene Avenue, Lemington.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fairlamb of the Force's Intelligence Bureau said: “Northumbria Police takes a strong stance on people who illegally possess firearms.
"We have rigorous gun licensing laws to ensure the public’s safety.
“I want the public to know we are working hard to fight against gun crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel, our initiative to tackle serious and organised crime. We are taking part in Operation Aztec – the national firearms surrender which takes places this week (July 20- August 4) – and are actively encouraging people to bring their unwanted firearms to designated police stations where you can dispose of it safely and of your own accord, rather than have our officers turn up on your doorstep at a later date and risk prosecution.
“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.”
Any weapons handed in through Operation Aztec will be disposed of by the force. Those handing in firearms will be free from prosecution at the time of the surrender, but may face further action at a later date if their firearm has links to criminality.
You can bring an unwanted firearm to either Forth Banks, Middle Engine Lane or Southwick stations anytime until August 4.
