108 weapons handed in as part of Police campaign

Monday 27 November 2017

A total of 108 items, including illegal firearms and swords, were handed in to the Police as part of Operation Aztec, a national firearms 'surrender' campaign.

It was the first time the local force has supported the two-week campaign and they say they have been "surprised" by the number of items surrendered.

Among the firearms handed in were 33 shotguns, eight rifles, 16 air rifles and pistols, 11 air pistols and blank firing/starter pistols, one black powder pistol and two flare guns. Nine swords, a bayonet and a quantity of ammunition were also surrendered.

Chief Inspector, Chris Beechey, Head of Firearms, said: “We were really surprised at the amount of calls we received and the volume of weapons surrendered. The campaign obviously helped spread the message and we are delighted that so many people responded to it.

“We will now engage the help of partners to identify those items of historical value and interest to ensure that they end up in the right place.”

The surrender initiative was led by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) to give people the opportunity to hand in unwanted guns without fear of prosecution.

The local force will be sharing their results with the NABIS. During the previous campaign in 2014, more than 6,000 items were handed in to police in the UK.