POLICE are staging a firearm and knife amnesty until the end of the month.

People can dispose of their weapons at police stations across Avon and Somerset from today (Monday, November 17) until the end of the months - see details below.

Knives or bladed articles can be left in special bins, but firearms must be handed in at the front desk.

Anyone surrendering a gun or knife will not face prosecution for illegal possession, although they will be checked for evidence to see if they have been used in a crime.

Chief Inspector Debbie Palmer-Lawrence, operational policing, policy and support at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “The purpose of this surrender is to offer those people who may not realise they have an illegal firearm to surrender it without fear of prosecution for this offence.

“I must stress that we will be taking information from those people handing in firearms and we will be running some background checks to see if that weapon has been used in a crime.

“We will accept any firearm or knife, but we are particularly keen to receive ornamental knives, lock knives, butterfly knives, Second World War weapons – any weapon which could cause serious harm if in the wrong hands.

“I would also urge people to think about the consequences of keeping an illegal firearm or weapon. The law is very stringent around weapon possession and the maximum penalty of possessing an illegal firearm is life imprisonment.

“Firearms license holders can be reassured that these measures merely enhance their rights and privileges to own firearms, by removing the dangerous ones from the wrong hands.”

The initiative is part of a fortnight-long scheme involving forces across the country and is supported by National Ballistics Intelligence Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers to encourage local people who wish to safely dispose of a firearm or knife.

Many firearms are held by members of the public who may not realise they are illegal. Some may have inherited the items from relatives and think that the age of weapon means it legal.

 

 

STATIONS WHERE YOU CAN HAND IN FIREARMS AND KNIVES.

Burnham 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Bath 8am to 8pm, every day.

Broadbury 8am to 8pm, every day.

Patchway 8am to 8pm every day.

Taunton 8am to 8pm every day.

Yeovil 8am to 8pm every day.

Minehead 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Trinity Road 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.