Call to hand in illegal firearms

People who own illegal firearms are being urged to hand over them as part of a county-wide gun amnesty.

Anyone who has an unlawfully held weapon, including a trophy or antique gun which may have been a war memento or family heirloom, can hand them in to Lincolnshire Police without fear of reprisal during the next few days.

Although Spalding police station is not one of the main collection points for the amnesty, anyone wishing to hand in a gun can do so, but is asked to make an appointment first.

This is because arrangements need to be made for a specially-trained officer to be present to take possession of the weapon and ensure it is unloaded and safe.

Any weapons handed in at Spalding will then be transported to one of the main collection points at Lincoln, Grantham, Boston or Skegness, which have been selected as they have armouries where the weapons can be stored prior to disposal.

A spokesman for the police said police officers are called on a regular basis to reports of people seen in public places with firearms.

Despite the fact that a number of firearms and imitation firearms are handed into Lincolnshire Police each week, there are still unlawfully held firearms in Lincolnshire.

He said: “To avoid these weapons getting into the wrong hands, and to provide members of the community with a safe place to dispose of any firearms they are unlawfully, or lawfully, in possession of, Lincolnshire Police is holding a Firearms Amnesty until November 14.

“During that period, those people surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession, and they also have the choice to remain anonymous.”

Gun crime within Lincolnshire is statistically low, which is a result of continued efforts from the force.

An amnesty has not been held by Lincolnshire Police for nearly ten years.

It is just one of a number of measures that is being used to further reduce crime.

The police spokesman said: “Members of the community can be assured that the amnesty is not being held due to a rise in gun crime, and they also should not be concerned that the amnesty will be an excuse for people to walk around freely with firearms. Anyone wishing to hand in a firearm is urged to contact one of the police stations below and inform them that they will be bringing one in.

“Advice will then be given as to the safest way to transport the firearm to the police station.”