WILTSHIRE Police are appealing for people to hand in unwanted guns with a two-week surrender of firearms and ammunition starting next Saturday July 20.

Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes.

Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to harm, threaten and intimidate their local communities.

The surrender gives people the chance to dispose of firearms or ammunition by simply taking them to a local police station.

Those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon surrender and can remain anonymous.

Inspector Paul Saunders said: “Our mission is to keep people safe and protect our communities; we must never be complacent about gun crime.

“Thanks to partnership working, we now have a greater understanding of this sort of crime, including the potential triggers that can cause violence.

“It is important that we continue to educate people around the dangers of firearms from a young age, provide alternatives to gangs, and work hard on enforcement for those that insist on being involved in violent crime and illegal activity.“This is a national firearms surrender, not a firearms amnesty, which means people can hand in guns they should not have without being prosecuted for firearms possession.

“The surrender does not give amnesty for the life of the firearm and the public should be reassured that the police will continue to vigorously investigate offences linked to any firearm recovered.

“Information from witnesses and local communities is vital if we are able to obtain the evidence needed to arrest and prosecute offenders.

“Lawful gun license-holders can be reassured that these measures merely enhance their rights and privileges to own firearms. I would however encourage them to take this opportunity to consider whether they can surrender firearms they no longer have any use for.

“Firearms should be handed into front counter staff at identified police stations. If you are unable to travel to a police station, then you should contact police via 101 and arrange for the firearm to be collected.”

Firearms and ammunition can be surrendered at the following locations during specified opening hours: • Salisbury, Bourne Hill – Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, and closed Sunday and Bank Holidays

• Swindon Police Station, Gablecross – Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, and closed Sunday and Bank Holidays

• Trowbridge Police Station – Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, and closed Sunday and Bank Holidays

• Melksham Police Station – Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, and closed weekends and Bank Holidays

• Chippenham, Monkton Park – Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm (please note there will be a reduced service between midday and 2pm), and closed weekends and Bank Holidays

• Marlborough Police Station – Tuesday and Thursday 9am-5pm (please note the station is also closed between 12.45pm-1.25pm), Wednesday 9am-12.30pm, closed on Monday, Friday, weekends and bank holidays.

To report people involved in illegal firearms call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.