AN illegal air rifle surrendered in Wilmslow was among the 46 handed into Cheshire police during its firearms amnesty.
Part of a national initiative, the amnesty provided people with the opportunity to hand in their unwanted or illegally held weapons without fear of prosecution.
It took place between November 20 and December 5 and saw weapons ranging from air rifles to air pistols surrendered across the county.
Weapons were handed into police in Congleton (12), Chester (seven), Widnes (six), Warrington (five), Northwich (four), Runcorn (three), Ellesmere Port, Frodsham and Crewe (two), and Knutsford, Wilmslow and Winsford (one).
Superintendent Bev Raistrick said: “Gun crime in Cheshire is rare, and this amnesty was just one of a number of measures that we are taking to help to keep it low and further reduce crime.
"There are many reasons why people may possess an illegal weapon, and this amnesty was simply another way of ensuring some of these weapons were removed from our streets before they were used for criminal activities.
"As a result there are now 46 fewer illegal weapons on the streets of Cheshire, which means that there are now 46 less opportunities for them to get into the wrong hands and be used for criminal activities.”
Anyone who still holds an unwanted or illegally held firearms is encouraged to hand it in so it can be dealt with.
Further details surrounding the law on guns can be found at www.cheshire.police.uk .
Anyone who is concerned about illegal weapons in their local community is urged to contact Cheshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 .
