October 29, 2014 10.13 am This story is over 119 months old

Lincolnshire Police hold first firearms amnesty in ten years

Firearms call: Lincolnshire Police is offering a firearms amnesty to anyone who comes forward with unlawful weapons – for the first time in almost ten years.

Lincolnshire Police is offering a firearms amnesty to anyone who comes forward with unlawful weapons – for the first time in almost ten years.

The force, which retrieves a number of firearms and imitation firearms each week, claims there are still unlawfully held firearms across the county.

These include trophies or antique weapons such as from wars, or firearms which people have acquired from a relative.

The force is holding a Firearms Amnesty between Nov 3 and Nov 14 2014.

During that period, those people surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession, and they also have the choice to remain anonymous.

The amnesty hopes to avoid weapons getting into the wrong hands and provide members of the community with a safe place to dispose of any firearms they are unlawfully, or lawfully, in possession of.

Gun crime within Lincolnshire is statistically low, which is a result of continued efforts from the Force.

The amnesty is one of a number of measures that is being used to further reduce crime.

Members of the community are being assured that the amnesty is not being held due to a rise in gun crime.

Officers also say people should not be concerned that the amnesty will be an excuse for people to walk around freely with firearms.

Anyone wishing to hand in a firearm is urged to contact one of the police stations below and inform them that they will be bringing one in.

Advice will be given as to the safest way to transport the firearm to the police station. All weapons should be handled with the utmost care, and treated as if they are loaded.

The main collecting police stations are:

  • Lincoln
  • Grantham
  • Boston
  • Skegness

People should call 101 and ask to be put through to any of these police stations.