Essex police will be offering unlicensed holders the chance to dispose of their firarms without being prosecuted. 

The aim of the two-week campaign is to make Essex safer and prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.

The police are encouraging anyone to hand in unwanted or unlicensed firearms, ammunition, imitation firearms, and air or gas-powered weapons to one of the eight police stations.

Anyone surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegally possessing them. There will also be the option to stay anonymous when handing the items in.

The history of each live weapon will be checked to see if they have been involved in a crime.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Fordham said: “In the last three years we’ve seen a concerning rise in the number of offences involving a firearm – from 768 to 900.

“Guns can have a devastating impact on people’s lives as shown by the death of John Pordage in Chelmsford in August.

“This surrender will give you the opportunity to safely dispose of any unwanted or unlicensed firearms and ammunition safely, ensuring they do not fall into the wrong hands.

“We particularly want you to hand in any antique or war trophy weapons from historic conflicts such as World War Two, or more recent ones such as the Falklands, Afghanistan and Gulf wars which retired, or serving, military personnel or their families may still have in their possession.

“There are many responsible firearms license holders in Essex, but there’ve been a number of changes to the law in recent years and people may not be aware of how they’re affected.”

All weapons can be surrendered at the front counters of the police stations in Basildon, Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Grays and Southend. You are asked to call ahead on 101 to can be advised on how best to transport the item.

You can also use the 101 services to arrange for a police officer to collect the weapon.

Det Chief Supt Fordham added: “As well as real firearms, we are also keen for you to hand in imitation firearms, air weapons and BB guns.

“It can be almost impossible to tell the difference between an imitation firearm and a real one, but when you’re faced with one the fear and concern it causes it just the same.

“This amnesty will help make Essex safer and reduce the chance a member of the public will come face-to-face with one”.

Changes to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 now prohibits you from possessing firearms or ammunition for a period of five years if you have previously served custodial or suspended sentences of between three months and three years.

If you have served a custodial sentence of more than three years you are permanently prohibited.

Additionally, while the Firearms Act 1968 allows antique firearms to be possessed without a certificate as a “curiosity or ornament”, the changes to the law in 2014 now means that if you are prohibited from possessing firearms you will be unable to possess antique weapons.

Essex Police last run a firearm and ammunition amnesty between October 31 and November 11, 2016. A total of 129 firearms and 27 whole rounds of ammunition were surrendered.