78 firearms handed in for gun amnesty across West Mercia - The Bromsgrove Standard

78 firearms handed in for gun amnesty across West Mercia

Bromsgrove Editorial 6th Nov, 2014 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

ALMOST 80 weapons have been handed in across the West Mercia Police force area in just four days as part of the amnesty aimed at reducing gun crime.

As The Standard went to press yesterday (Thursday), 78 firearms, along with ammunition had been surrendered following the launch of Operation Magpie on Monday (November 3).

Anyone who hands over a weapon will not be required to leave any information, but the item may be examined by police for evidence if they believe it is linked with a crime.

All surrendered firearms will be destroyed except for those which have a historical value which could be donated to museums.




It also offers the chance for legal firearm owners to hand in old weapons they no longer need and is part of a drive by police forces across Britain.

Supt Charles Hill, from West Mercia Police, said: “Compared to other areas of the country we don’t have a big gun problem in the region.


“However, we are aware of issues of gun crime nationally and we are keen to play our part in supporting this operation and reducing the opportunities for firearms to be used for criminal offence.

“Every firearm surrendered is one less weapon that can be used to commit crime.”

He urged anyone who had concerns about someone owning firearms, ammunition or explosives, either legitimately or illegally, to report it by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

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