Police are calling for people who have guns 'innocently' to hand them in.

From July 20 until August 4, owners of unwanted and illegal firearms are being encouraged to surrender them to the police to avoid 'the risk of them becoming involved in crime'.

People are being encouraged to surrender any firearms they may have in their home that they may innocently own, that they don't realise are illegal.

Detective inspector Helena Bhakta, the spokesperson for the scheme, said: "Surrendering unwanted or illegal firearms avoids the risk of them becoming involved in crime and means that members of the community can dispose of them in a safe place.

"Firearms can be inherited through various ways - some can be handed down through family or found in lofts or sheds, gathering dust and forgotten about."

The force says that the surrender is not an amnesty, and crimes which have occurred prior to the items surrender could still be investigated.

Inspector Helena Bhakta, the spokeswoman for the firearms surrender scheme

Inspector Bhakta: "If a firearm has been used in criminal activity, there will be a victim of crime that wants answers.

"This is about people who innocently hold these firearms and can hand them in without fear of prosecution. If they have been used in an offence, we have a duty to investigate."

The aim of the scheme is to give members of the public a chance to dispose of a weapon or ammunition by taking it to a police station.

Inspector Bhakta said: "Nationally and in Leicestershire gun crime has reduced.

"We have robust procedures around firearms and we investigate all reports of firearms in Leicestershire and will continue to do that.

"This surrender scheme is a way for members of the public to get involved to really make a difference and play their part in making their area a safer place to live and reduce criminality."

The campaign is being co-ordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) with many other forces across the UK taking part.

This is the second such scheme, with the first taking place in 2017, when 116 firearms were surrended.

Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply that can lead to a life sentence.

Deputy Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: "One weapon off the streets is one less that can be used to harm or threaten our communities.

"As a police force, we use various tactics to locate weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands, but this is an opportunity for the public to help us.

"The fight against gun crime is stronger than ever and we are working with partners and local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity."

Firearms can be surrendered at the following designated police stations and local offices across Leicestershire:

  • Mansfield House Police Station, Leicester
  • Keyham Lane Police Station, Leicester
  • Market Harborough Police Station, Market Harborough
  • Melton Mowbray Police Station, Melton Mowbray
  • Braunstone Police Station, Leicester
  • Hinckley Police Station, Leicester
  • Wigston Police Station, Leicester
  • Beaumont Leys Police Station, Leicester