'Do the right thing, hand it in': New gun surrender launched in battle against violence crime
People will be able to walk into a police station and surrender a gun as part of a new bid to get deadly weapons off the streets.
David Jamieson, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, urged people with an unlicensed firearm to "do the right thing, hand it in".
The force is joined the two week firearms surrender led by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service running from Saturday to August 4.
Police are encouraging people to hand in any firearms, including guns, ammunition, stun guns and pepper spray to local police stations.
The last surrender in May 2018 saw 115 firearms surrendered, comprising of over 30 lethal guns and 45 air weapons.
People can hand in firearms at Wolverhampton's Bilston Street Station; Bloxwich Police Station, in Station Street; Brierley Hill station, in Bank Street; West Bromwich station off Moor Street, and Birmingham Central Police Headquarters, at Lloyd House.
All stations are open from 8am to 10pm except for Birmingham Central which is open 24 hours a day.
Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, from force CID, said: "Previous gun surrenders have proved very successful in removing firearms from our streets and potentially avoided them getting into the hands of criminals.
“Although enforcement activity is important, it is also vital that police, partners and the community work together to stop young people being involved in violent crime and gang activity before it gets to that stage.
"We realise that peer pressure, family breakdowns and many other factors can have a bearing on why a young person follows a gang lifestyle, when other opportunities could be explored with the right direction.
"Therefore I would urge anyone who is holding a gun, or knows anyone holding a gun, maybe through fear or misguided loyalty to someone else, to hand it in now, otherwise the alternative could be up to five years in prison.
“We also hope the surrender will stop unused shotguns or antique firearms - often World War relics gathering dust in loft spaces - from potentially falling into the hands of criminals."
Weapons can be surrendered at any West Midlands Police station or by calling the force on 101 or via live chat on our website and arranging for officers to make home visits.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, added: “My message to anyone who has an unlicensed firearm is ‘do the right thing, hand it in’."
Guns can be surrendered anonymously but the history of live weapons handed in will be checked for any evidence of criminal use.
The firearms will either be destroyed at the West Midlands Police armoury or retained for training exercises.
For any further information call police on 101.
