Over 35 items handed in on Merseyside in first five days of firearms surrender

Over 35 items - including nine viable firearms - have been handed in on Merseyside in the first five days of our two week firearms surrender. 

We launched the surrender on Saturday 20^th July, in conjunction with the National Ballistics Intelligence Service, encouraging people to hand over guns, ammunition and other weapons such as CS gas and stun guns to prevent them getting into criminal hands. 

To date the haul of items handed in includes:

9 viable firearms

7 air weapons

2 blank firers

1 realistic imitation firearm

4 lots of ammunition including 16 live rounds

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Baker said: "I am pleased that we have already been able to remove a number of weapons from the streets of Merseyside – including viable firearms.

"The people of Merseyside are acutely aware of the impact gun crime has on our communities – even more so in recent days when we have seen people injured as a result of firearms discharges.

"It is vital guns and ammunition – whether they are held by registered firearms holders and no longer wanted – or they have been found abandoned in garden sheds, attics and garages, do not fall into the wrong hands.

"I would continue to ask people to come forward and continue to support our campaign. We are committed to getting rid of firearms from our streets so they cannot be used to cause fear or intimidation.

"This is just one of our tactics. I would also ask anyone who knows where guns are being stored to contact us by DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 so we can take positive action."

This year’s national firearms surrender runs until Sunday 4^th August.

The police stations in Merseyside which will be accepting guns and ammunition during the surrender are: Birkenhead, St Helens police station on College Street, St Ann Street, Southport and Huyton but people are being advised to check the opening times of the stations in advance by messaging @MerPolCC, messaging @MerPolCC, calling 101 or visiting the Merseyside Police website – www.merseyside.police.uk