“Old and deactivated guns” handed into Wrexham station as part of firearm surrender campaign

Firearms and ammunition continue to be handed into police stations across the region as part of a two week surrender campaign.

Twenty items were handed into officers during the first seven days of the campaign, including shotguns, air weapons and ammunition.

The image above was tweeted by Town Centre Inspector Paul Wycherley last week, who stated that the old and deactivated guns had been handed into Wrexham station.

With the campaign entering into its second and final week, North Wales Police are reminding people of the opportunity to safely hand in their unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to help avoid them getting into the wrong hands.

Many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes. Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm their local communities.

The surrender gives members of the public the chance to dispose of a firearm or ammunition by simply taking it to a local designated police station and handing it in.

Detective Superintendent Steve Williams, North Wales Police said: “Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

“It is pleasing that we have already had firearms and ammunition surrendered to us and this just shows just how invaluable surrender operations such as this can be.

“It doesn’t matter if the firearms are real, imitations, antiques or fully licenced guns that the licence holder no longer needs – we want them all to be handed in to us.

He added: “Fortunately North Wales does not have a significant gun crime problem, however we are not complacent about gun crime, which is why we are involved with the national surrender. We want as many guns surrendered as possible and I would encourage the public to continue to come forward in this manner.

“I would also urge for any information or intelligence about anyone involved with illegal firearms to call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

During the campaign period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and they can remain anonymous. However, the history of each live weapon will be checked for evidence of its use in crimes.

NABIS and police forces across the UK are working with partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Local Government Association (LGA), to ensure the surrender fortnight of action is a success.

You can hand in any unwanted guns and ammunition into the following stations:

– Wrexham Police Station. Opening times: 8:30am – 7pm Mon to Sat. 9am – 6pm Sundays
– Mold Police Station. Opening times: 9am – 1pm & 3pm – 6pm Monday to Sat
– Rhyl Police Station. 8:30am – 7pm Mon to Sat. 9am – 6pm Sundays
– Llandudno Police Station. 9am – 1pm & 3pm – 6pm Tues, Wed, Thursday, Friday & Saturday
– Colwyn Bay Police Station. 9am – 1pm & 3pm – 6pm Mondays
– Caernarfon Police Station. 9am – 1pm & 3pm – 6pm Monday, Wed, Fri & Saturday
– Bangor Police Station 8:30am – 7pm Mon to Sat. 9am – 6pm Sundays
– Holyhead Police Station 9am – 1pm & 3pm – 6pm Tuesdays & Thursdays

Anyone who unable to visit any of these stations is advised to contact North Wales Police on 101 to make alternative arrangements. To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to their police station they are advised to phone 101 before travelling.

If you are a licensed firearm holder who wants advice please contact the North Wales Police Firearms Licensing Team or follow them on Twitter @NWPFALicensing or Facebook.

More information about NABIS can be found online or follow them on Twitter @NABIS_UK

If you know of anyone involved with illegal firearms call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111.