A LIFE-SAVING firearms amnesty has been welcomed by Hyndburn police chief Superintendent Malcolm Rawcliffe.

The month-long amnesty begins next Monday and members of the public are being encouraged to surrender weapons and ammunition at Accrington and Great Harwood police stations.

Supt Rawcliffe said: "It is for firearms and ammunition of any description which people want to bring in on a basically no questions asked basis.

"There may be weapons people have had for years that they feel slightly embarrassed about and this is an opportunity to dispose of them safely."

The national amnesty, the first since 1988, runs until Sunday, June 30. People who hand in illegally held guns will not be prosecuted for unlawful possession.

But if weapons are thought to have been used in crime, the police will pursue their normal inquiries.

Weapons handed in will be closely examined by a qualified firearms officer to be declared safe and securely stored by police before being destroyed.

Lancashire's assistant chief constable, operations support, John Vine said: "If guns are taken off the streets, lives will be saved. Every weapon given up is one that cannot be used by criminals.

"We know from all too tragic experience that when firearms fall into the wrong hands the consequences can be terrible."

Leaflets explaining how to take part in the amnesty are available in police stations, libraries and Citizens' Advice Bureaux. Anyone wishing to give anonymous information about illegally held firearms or gun-related crimes can ring the free and confidential Crimestoppers phoneline on 0800 555 111.

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