Gun amnesty launches in Derbyshire

Derbyshire Constabulary has launched its first county-wide gun amnesty in more than a decade.

The force is urging people to surrender their firearms and ammunition to help save lives.

The 12-day surrender – which is the first across the entire county for 11 years – is part of a national crackdown aimed at reducing the number of guns in circulation.

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Any real, fake, antique or legally-held guns which are no longer wanted can be handed in during the operation.

Derbyshire’s assistant chief constable Gary Knighton said: “Gun crime is continuing to fall across Derbyshire year on year, which is a result of the excellent work we do with our partners to educate people about the dangers of carrying firearms.

“This surrender is part of that continuing work, giving people the chance to hand over guns that they do not want, no longer need or should not have in the first place.

“Although the number of crimes in our county where a gun has been used is low, we simply cannot be complacent.

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“We will do everything we can to get firearms off the streets and out of circulation and this surrender gives people a great opportunity to help us do just that.”

Between April 2013 and March this year, a total of nine firearms discharges were recorded across Derbyshire. No fatalities have been recorded since September 2009.

Derbyshire’s police and crime commissioner Alan Charles said: “In the wrong hands guns can kill or maim people.

“They can be used to commit terrifying crimes which traumatise victims for years. I urge people with old, disused or unwanted firearms to take this opportunity to dispose of them responsibly.

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“Thankfully, gun crime is low in Derbyshire and every firearm handed in will help to keep it that way. You might even save a life.”

People who have guns and ammunition they want to hand over to Derbyshire police can do so at the below offices from today until Friday, November 7. Call 101 to find out the opening times for these offices.

A force spokesman said: “During the surrender, people handing in guns can remain anonymous. The history of each live weapon will be checked for evidence of its use in crime and if they have not been used in criminality they will be melted down or recycled.”

Derby and South Derbyshire

St Mary’s Wharf, Prime Parkway, Derby

City Centre office, Market Place, Derby

Cotton Lane Police Station, Cotton Lane, Derby

Ilkeston Police Station, Heanor Road, Ilkeston

Long Eaton Police Station, Midland Street, Long Eaton

Pear Tree Police Station, Pear Tree Road, Derby

Swadlincote Police Station, Civic Way, Swadlincote

Chesterfield, Amber Valley, Bolsover and Clay Cross

Chesterfield Police Station, New Beetwell Street, Chesterfield

Ripley Police Station, Wyatt’s Way, Ripley

Clay Cross Police Station, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor

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Bolsover Police Station, at the Bolsover District Council offices, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover

Derbyshire Dales and High Peak

Buxton Police Station, Silverlands, Buxton

Bakewell Police Station, Granby Road, Bakewell

Ashbourne Police Station, Compton Road, Ashbourne

Glossop Police Station, Ellison Street, Glossop

Matlock Police Station, Bank Road, Matlock

For more information on the surrender and the law surrounding guns, visit www.derbyshire.police.uk

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