A NATIONAL two-week fire arm surrender will take place this month, giving people the chance to dispose of unwanted guns.

Wiltshire Police, along with forces across the country, have promised those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon and can remain anonymous.

The initiative will take place from Monday, November 13.

Weapons and ammunition can be surrendered at Gablecross police station in Swindon.

In Wiltshire, weapons and ammunition can be taken to the police stations in Marlborough, in George Lane, Melksham, Hampton Park West, Chippenham, Monkton Park, and Trowbridge, Polebarn Road.

Inspector Barry Hickman said: “Our mission is to keep people safe and protect our communities. We must never be complacent about gun crime.

“The fight against gun crime is stronger than ever and we are working with partners and our local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.”

Police claim that surrendering unwanted, unlicensed weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that people can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

Inspector Hickman said: “We use various tactics to locate weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands – but we need the public’s help. We want as many weapons as possible and would encourage people to hand them in.

“This is a national firearms surrender, not a firearms amnesty, which means that people can hand in guns they should not have without being prosecuted for firearms possession.

“During the surrender we want people to hand in illegally-held guns and ammunition, those used for criminal purposes or that you have been asked to hide for someone else. We will also accept other unwanted guns and ammunition including air guns and imitations firearms.

“One weapon off the streets is one less that can be used to harm or threaten our communities.”

Anyone handing in a firearm, ammunition or any other weapon during the surrender is advised to check the opening times of their station by visiting the Wiltshire Police website or calling 101.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.