Cleveland Police Takes Part in National Firearms Surrender
Cleveland Police is taking part in a national two-week firearms surrender, beginning Thursday 12th May and ending on Sunday 29th May, named Operation Aztec.
Firearms and ammunition can be surrendered at a local police station (it is advisable to check the opening times of the police station). This helps stop them from getting into the wrong hands and helps ensure that they are disposed of safely.
At the point of surrender, people will not face prosecution for the illegal possession of firearms and they can remain anonymous. Police will continue to investigate any criminal offences linked to firearms that have been surrendered.
Some people may hold firearms in innocence and their legality may be overlooked or items may become forgotten about within people’s homes.
Superintendent Dave Sutherland said: “We don’t want firearms to fall into the wrong hands. There are some instances such as where people have forgotten about firearms in their homes, or their relatives homes, and they have come into possession of them unintentionally.
“We would like to dispose of them safely and so I would encourage anyone with unwanted or unlawful firearms to bring them to us without fear of prosecution.”
The four main police stations are open 8am until 8pm daily. These are:
• Middlesbrough – Bridge Street West
• Stockton – Thistle Green
• Hartlepool – Avenue Road
• Kirkleatham – Troisdorf Way, Redcar
Collection can be arranged but will not be available in all circumstances. Anyone wanting advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station can contact 101 before travelling.
Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms activity can call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.