Over 100 weapons surrendered in Greater Manchester as ‘give up the gun’ campaign reaches halfway point

GMP Assistant Chief Constable John O’Hare with some of the firearms and ammunition

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A total of 115 weapons, including a replica AK-47, have been surrendered in the Greater Manchester area during the first week of the North West Firearms Surrender 2016.

As it reaches its halfway point, Greater Manchester Police and neighbouring forces across the North West continue to appeal for people to Give up the Gun with the two week surrender for firearms and ammunition, which started at 7am on Monday 4 April.

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

The surrender will expire on Monday 18 April 2016. Giving up 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.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable John O’Hare said: “It has been an extremely successful first week for the surrender and we would like to thank those who have taken the opportunity to give up the gun. However, we know there are many more firearms out there that we can take off the streets.

“We urge those who are still holding onto weapons to hand them in before the surrender comes to an end. The more weapons we are able to secure, the less opportunity there is for criminals to use them.”