With spring now upon us Cheshire Police is encouraging members of the public to have a spring clean as the Constabulary launches a firearms surrender.
Superintendent Bev Raistrick said; "Gun crime in Cheshire is relatively low and that's the way we want to keep it. This surrender provides anyone who believes that they may have an illegal weapon in their possession to hand them in to the police without the threat of prosecution.
"During previous amnesties we have found that the majority of the weapons handed in by the public were wartime items that people had inherited from relatives who have passed away.
"Often people are unsure what to do with them so they simply end up being put up in the loft or buried under all of the tools in sheds and outbuildings."
The surrender will be held for two weeks from Monday 4th April to Monday 18th April, and will give people the opportunity to surrendering unwanted, unlicensed weapons without the risk of being prosecuted for illegally possessing the weapon.
During that period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon surrender and can remain anonymous.
It is part of a regional firearms surrender which aims to reduce the number of illegal weapons across the North West.
During the surrender members of the public will be able to hand in weapons and ammunition, including legal weapons that are no longer required, at Macclesfield Police Station on Brunswick Street, Macclesfield.
Superintendent Raistrick added: "By taking time to have a sort through your possessions you could help to make Cheshire an even safer county for future generations.
"By removing just one weapon from the streets you can help ensure that it doesn't get into the wrong hands. Any items that we do receive will be deactivated before being destroyed."
Since April 2014 58 firearms discharges have been recorded across Cheshire. During the current fiscal year a total of 23 firearms discharges have taken place, which is a decrease of 12 discharges when compared to the previous fiscal year when 35 offences occurred.
Two fatal discharges occurred in Cheshire in 2010/2011, a fatality was also recorded during the 2009/10 period but there have been no fatalities due to firearms discharges in Cheshire during the past five years.
If you know of people involved in illegal firearms call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to £1000 for information that lead to the recovery of a firearm and an arrest and conviction.
