| Subject: Police ask public to hand in unwanted firearms | | | | This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Leicestershire Neighbourhood Watch |  | | (Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message) | | Message sent by | | Marion Lewis (NHWN, Force Lead NHW Volunteer, Leicestershire) |
Leicestershire Police is holding a two week long firearms amnesty to appeal for the surrender of unlawfully held and unwanted firearms and ammunition.
It is believed that a number of firearms are held by people in innocence and ignorance of their illegality. They could be in the home, but overlooked or forgotten, or someone could have come into possession of one through the death of a relative, for example. To avoid these weapons getting into the wrong hands, and to provide members of the community with a safe place to dispose of any firearms they are unlawfully, or lawfully, in possession of, an amnesty is being held from Saturday 21 September until Sunday 6 October.
During that period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and they also have the opportunity to remain anonymous.
Chief Inspector Chris Brown of Leicestershire Police’s Operational Support Department said: “Fortunately gun crime within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is statistically low, which is a result of continued efforts from the Force. However, there was one death by firearm this year, which is extremely unusual for the city and county, but this is one death too many. We want as many weapons off the street as possible and would encourage people to hand them in.
“In addition to the amnesty, we continually work hard to educate young people about firearms and the dangers that come with them, to ensure that gun crime doesn’t become a problem for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”
Police officers regularly go into schools to present a hard hitting video called ‘Split Second’ to raise awareness. It features local officers and depicts young people getting involved with firearms and imitation firearms.
Anyone handing in a firearm during the amnesty is advised to check the opening times of the police station and then phone ahead before leaving home. They will then be advised on how to best transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station.
The main collecting local policing units are:
- Hinckley
- Syston
- Market Harborough
- Melton
- Oakham
- Braunstone
- Coalville
- Mansfield House
- Keyham Lane
- Spinney Hill
- Beaumont Leys
- Wigston
For further information and advice, people can contact the front desk at their local policing unit on 101. ***Anyone with information about gun crime and anti-social behaviour in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland is urged to call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entire call from both mobile phones and land lines. Please note some mobile phone service providers may charge for 0800 calls.***
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