More than 150 guns have been taken off the streets during a fortnight-long campaign. A self-loading pistol and a sawn-off shotgun were among the lethal weapons handed over to police during the National Firearm Surrender.
In total, 139 firearms were handed in and cops seized a further 12 - taking the amount to 151. Every police force in the UK was involved in the campaign, which was co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS).
It started on May 12 and ended on Sunday (May 29). Greater Manchester Police (GMP) added that there has been a 30pc drop in shootings in Greater Manchester over the past year.
Detective Superintendent John Griffith, of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “Any ammunition or any firearm that gets handed in is one less on the street for criminals to get their hands on. We remain committed to robustly investigating serious crime, specifically targeting those in possession or transferring firearms and ammunition as they post a real, serious threat across the UK.
"The 30pc drop in discharges over the last 12 months across Greater Manchester is a result of some hard work as we continue to take such lethal weapons off the streets. Guns have no place in the region and this surrender is a result of continued efforts from officers and our partners as we work together to safeguard, intervene and educate at the earliest opportunity to hopefully save lives and make Greater Manchester a safer place to live, work and visit."
Firearms legislation is regularly updated and officers urged people to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to help avoid them getting into the wrong hands. The campaign was also aimed at collectors, licence holders and anyone who may have inherited a firearm.
“Communities really hold the key to helping reduce crime and providing us with information that may assist with our on-going investigations," Det Supt Griffith added. "Members of the public who may know of anyone involved in illegal firearms activity is asked to report it online or via LiveChat, call 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
