AVON and Somerset Police are appealing for people to hand in any unwanted guns during a two-week surrender of firearms and ammunition which began last week.

Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality, or are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes. This national surrender gives people the chance to dispose of firearms or ammunition in a safe place until Sunday, May 29.

During the fortnight, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution and can remain anonymous. Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed weapons stops the risk of them falling into the wrong hands and being used to commit criminal offences.

If someone is unable to travel to a police station they should contact police via 101 and arrange for the firearm to be collected.

Supt Olly Cosgrove said: “While the number of incidents involving firearms remains low in our area, we need to stay focussed on the fight against gun crime. We use various tactics to locate weapons which have fallen into the wrong hands – but we need the public’s help.

“This surrender period allows people to hand in unwanted or illegal firearms or ammunition.”