ILLEGAL gun owners in East Lancashire are being offered the chance to hand in their weapons without fear of prosecution.

Lancashire Police will launch a week-long gun amnesty on Monday in a bid to get the deadly firearms off our streets.

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The move comes a month after a 'successful' knife amnesty, during which time 400 blades, ranging from kitchen knifes to machetes, swords and daggers were handed in.

Superintendent Jon Puttock said: "Police officers are called to attend reports of people seen in public places with firearms on a regular basis.

"Despite the fact that firearms and imitation firearms are often handed in to Lancashire Police, there are still unlawfully held firearms in the county, be it trophy or antique weapons such as from military conflict, or firearms which people have acquired from a relative.

"People may have firearms that belong to other people, who have inherited them, or may have been overlooked or forgotten. We would encourage people to check their attics, sheds and cupboards and hand weapons in.

"Gun crime in the UK has continued to fall year on year for the last ten years. In Lancashire, we are fortunate that we do not have the same level of gun crime problems experienced by other areas but we are not complacent about gun crime which is why we are giving this opportunity for people to dispose of unwanted guns safely."

Throughout the week, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession and, if they wish, can remain anonymous, although the history of each live weapon will be checked for evidence of its use in crimes.

Weapons and ammunition can be surrendered at any police station but anyone handing in a firearm during this opportunity is advised to check the opening times of their nearest station before they set off.

Weapons should be disarmed and put in a box or strong bag. Ammunition should be put in a separate bag or box.

Police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: "The penalties for illegal possession of a firearm are severe – and the consequences could be even greater if they subsequently fall into the wrong hands.

"We are fortunate that gun crime in Lancashire remains low, however in order to keep it that way we need to ensure we are not complacent.

"That means encouraging anyone who has a weapon which they are keeping illegally to take this opportunity to hand it in, without fear of reprisals, and ensure it is disposed of safely so it can't be used in crime in the future."

In September, a manhunt was launched for a gunman who blasted a sports car with a shotgun in West View, off Knowle Lane, Darwen.

Following the shooting, which left a black Mercedes SLK 250 riddled with holes, specialist crime scene investigation officers scoured a scene and conducted fingertip searches in the hunt for clues.

Nobody has yet been arrested, a police spokeswoman said yesterday.