A gun amnesty has started in Powys today which will allow residents to hand unwanted guns or ammunition to police without facing prosecution.
For two weeks residents will be able to stay anonymous as they resign their unwanted weapons at police stations in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells or Newtown as part of Operation Aztec.
Superintendent Jon Cummins, head of specialist operations for Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The national 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.
“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 are encouraging people to hand them in."
The last national firearms surrender, co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), took place in November 2017 and saw thousands of items handed over to police.
This campaign, which will come to an end on Sunday, August 4, has also been organised by NABIS and is focusing on firearms, stun gun type devices and pepper sprays.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: “Police want to highlight the danger of these items and remind people they are illegal in the UK and could lead to a prison sentence for anyone caught in possession.”
A full list of police stations which have the surrender points can be found on Google Maps via the Dyfed-Powys Police website.
You can also call 101 to arrange the collection of a weapon or ammunition by a specially trained police officer.
The spokeswoman said: “Alternatively, weapons and ammunition can be surrendered at any police station, but anyone handing in a firearm, ammunition or any other weapon during the campaign is advised to check the opening times of their station.”
Anyone who knows of someone involved in illegal firearms should call police on 101 or it can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.