Nottinghamshire Police urges people to hand over illegal guns, ammunition and knives
People in possession of illegal guns, ammunition and knives are being encouraged to make their communities safer by handing them into the police.
Nottinghamshire Police believes that some firearms are held by people who are unaware of their illegality.
Others, such as war trophies handed down by relatives, may be lying overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes.
Keen to avoid these weapons either causing injury or falling into the hands of criminals, Nottinghamshire Police is giving people the opportunity to dispose of them by handing them in at police stations.
The surrender campaign, which runs until May 29 is part of a national campaign by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS).
The aim of the operation is to reduce the number of illegally held firearms.
Nottinghamshire Police is also shining a spotlight on the relentless united effort to drive down knife crime as a national week of action gets underway.
Operation Sceptre, which launches today, will provide just a sample of the continuous year-round work being done to prevent knife crime in Nottinghamshire and to protect communities from the harm it causes.
Positive action to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of knife crime, to help prevent incidents from happening in the first place, will include educational events at local schools and colleges and proactive public engagement including the use of metal-detecting walk-through knife arches.
Guns that should be handed in include replica firearms, air weapons, BB guns, imitation firearms, antique guns, component parts, stun guns, Taser, pepper spray and other ballistic items.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Austin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “If people have firearms or ammunition in their possession, it may be the case that they just don’t know how or where they can safely dispose of them.
“It is possible they have something which has come into their possession as a war trophy or has been handed down as a family heirloom.
“Even if these have been deactivated or don’t appear to be in working order, they can still present significant dangers — especially if they fall into the hands of criminals.
“Regardless of where a firearm came from, if people no longer want them in their possession, this is their opportunity to hand them in.
“I also ask anyone who knows anything about an illegal firearm and who wants to report this anonymously, to do so into Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Superintendent Kathryn Craner, Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime lead, said: “I’m pleased at how successful our partnership approach has proved to be, however I want to reassure people that we remain totally committed to driving down knife crime.
“We know how devastating just one knife crime incident can be for everyone involved, as well as the wider community.
“That’s why we treat it so seriously and continue to do everything in our power to keep people safe as well as taking robust action against those who choose to carry knives and use them to harm others.”
During the surrender campaigns no one will face prosecution for illegal items in their possession, but offences related to the previous use of the weapons are not covered.
Licensed firearms holders are also encouraged to use the opportunity to dispose of any legally held weapons they no longer have use for.
Firearms can be handed in at the following stations until May 29:
Newark Police Station — 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday
Radford Road Police Station — 8am-8pm Monday to Sunday
Mansfield Police Station — 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday
Knives can be handed in at the following stations until May 23:
Newark Police Station
Kirkby Police Station
Mansfield Police Station
Ollerton Police Station
Retford Police Station
Worksop Police Station
Beeston Police Station
Broxtowe Police Station
Bulwell Police Station
Oxclose Lane Police Station
Radford Road Police Station
St Ann's Police Station
There will also be bins at Byron House and inside The Pilgrim Church in The Meadows.
