The force is appealing for members of the public to hand in illegal, unwanted and unlicensed firearms and ammunition during a two-week surrender, starting on Thursday 12 May.
Running until Sunday 29 May, the surrender gives members of the public the opportunity to safely dispose of them, as well as stun guns, Tasers and CS spray.
The campaign is being co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) with many other forces across the UK taking part.
The surrender is not an amnesty and therefore, the force may investigate any offences which have occurred prior to the items surrender. Communities should be reassured that officers will continue to vigorously investigate offences linked to any firearm they receive to combat gun crime.
Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their legality and are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes. Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm local communities. The surrender gives members of the public the chance to dispose of a firearm or ammunition by simply taking it to a local designated police station and handing it in.
Chief Inspector Cara Guest-Moore, Specialist Support Operations Support Tactical Dogs and Firearms, said: “The campaign to surrender unwanted or illegal firearms avoids the risk of them becoming involved in crime and means that members of the community can dispose of them in a safe place.
“Firearms can be inherited through various ways – many are handed down through family or found in lofts or sheds, gathering dust and forgotten about.
“However, this surrender gives the public the opportunity to hand in any unwanted, unlicensed or illegal firearms. This way they can be confident they have been disposed of safely.”
Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “One weapon off the streets is one less that can fall into the wrong hands and be used to harm or threaten our communities.
“As a police force, we use various tactics to locate weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands, but this is an opportunity for the public to help us. The fight against gun crime is stronger than ever and we are working with partners and local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.”
Firearms can be surrendered at the following designated police stations and local offices across Leicestershire:
Mansfield House Police Station, Belgrave Gate, Leicester: Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm, Saturday: 10am – 6pm, Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Keyham Lane Police Station, Colin Grundy Drive, Hamilton, Leicester: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
Market Harborough Police Station, Fairfield Road, Market Harborough: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm.
Melton Police Station, King Street, Melton: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm
Braunstone Police Station, Hallam Crescent East, Braunstone Town, Leicester: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm.
Hinckley Police Station, Upper Bond Street, Hinckley: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm (closed 2pm - 2.45pm), Saturday 9am - 3pm
Wigston Police Station, Bull Head Street, Wigston: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm
Beaumont Leys Police Station, Beaumont Way, Leicester: Monday – Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
Loughborough Police Station, Southfield Road, Loughborough: Monday 10am-6pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8.30am-8pm, Friday 12noon-8pm, Saturday 10am-1.30pm.
Illegal possession of a firearm such as a hand gun or shotgun can mean five years behind bars and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply that can lead to a life sentence.
If you know of anyone involved with illegal firearms call police on 101 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111. If you are a licensed firearm holder who wants advice please contact Leicestershire Police here.
For more information visit NABIS
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