Results from first week of firearms surrender

More than fifty weapons and six hundred rounds of ammunition have been handed in to Leicestershire Police in the first week of the national firearms surrender.

Forces across the country are taking part in the surrender which is being co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS). Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes. Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm local communities. The surrender gives members of the public the chance to dispose of a firearm or ammunition by simply taking it to a local designated police station and handing it in.

Across Leicestershire, forty nine people have handed in fifty six weapons including five shotguns; three revolvers including a World War Two revolver; twenty two blank firers (ten of which could be converted into a viable weapon); pistols; flare guns air rifles; air pistols. Six hundred and six rounds of ammunition have also been handed in.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Nixon said; “We’ve had a really good response to the surrender so far with a wide range of firearms and ammunition being handed in at our police stations across the force area. Every weapon surrendered reduces the chances of it ending up in the hands of criminals and that is a good thing.

“During the campaign you can hand in any unwanted or illegal firearms without facing prosecution for the illegal possession and you can remain anonymous. That way you can be confident you have got rid of a firearm safely.”

The surrender is not however an amnesty. It does not mean that the police will not investigate any offences prior to its surrender and the public should be reassured that officers will continue to vigorously investigate offences linked to any firearm they receive.

Guns and ammunition can be surrendered at the following designated police stations across Leicestershire;

• Mansfield House 8am – 10pm (10am - 8pm Saturday, 10am - 4pm Sunday)
• Market Harborough 10am – 4pm (Monday to Friday)
• Braunstone 10am – 4pm (Monday to Friday)
• Hinckley 9am – 6.00pm (9 – 3pm Saturday, Sunday closed)
• Wigston 9am – 6.00pm (10 – 4pm Saturday, Sunday closed)
• Keyham Lane 8am – 8pm (8am – 6pm Saturday, Sunday closed)
• Spinney Hill 10pm – 6pm (Monday to Friday)
• Beaumont Leys 8am – 8pm (9am to 5pm Saturday 10am to 4pm Sunday)
• Melton Mowbray 9am – 7pm (9am to 5pm Saturday 10am to 4pm Sunday)
• Hinckley Road 10am – 4pm (Monday to Friday)

If you know of anyone involved with illegal firearms call police on 101 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111. If you are a licensed firearm holder who wants advice please contact your local force. For more information about NABIS visit www.nabis.police.uk or follow us on Twitter @NABIS_UK or @leicspolice