Public urged to 'give up the gun' with firearms surrender

Police across the North West urge public to 'give up the gun' with firearms surrender

Police forces from across the North West are appealing for people to ‘Give up the Gun’ with a two week surrender of firearms and ammunition, starting at 7am on Monday 4 April.

It’s been almost two years since the last firearms surrender, where forces ask members of the public to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.

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 harm, threaten and intimidate their local communities.

The surrender gives the chance to dispose of the firearm or ammunition with no questions asked, by simply taking it to a local police station and handing it in – before a police operation to retrieve them takes place.

The surrender will be held for two weeks from Monday 4 April at 7am to 11.59pm on Monday 18 April. Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

During that period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon surrender and can remain anonymous.

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable John O’Hare said: “The fight against gun crime is stronger than ever and we are working with partners and our local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.

“We use various tactics to locate weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands – but we need the public’s help. We want as many weapons as possible and would encourage people to hand them in.

“One weapon off the streets is one less that can be used, often multiple times, to harm and threaten 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.”

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “Gun crime has cast a shadow over Greater Manchester in recent months and the work of GMP and partner agencies has shown that this will not be tolerated.

"The actions of a minority will not diminish the ambition of the good, law-abiding people of this conurbation to make our neighbourhoods safer and protect our young people from criminality.

“One less gun on the streets is one less gun causing damage to young lives and to our communities. That’s why I call on the people of Greater Manchester to look to their consciences and give up the gun this fortnight. It’s simply the right thing to do.”

Weapons and ammunition can be surrendered at the front desk of any police station but anyone handing in a firearm, ammunition or any other weapon during the surrender is advised to check the opening times of their station in advance by calling 101 or visiting the police website.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to £1,000 for information that lead to the recovery of a firearm and an arrest and conviction.