Hundreds of weapons handed to West Yorkshire Police during amnesty
Nearly 300 knives, guns and ammunition were handed in at the county’s police stations during the campaign launched earlier this month.
Among items handed in were 110 guns, 158 knives and other bladed weapons and 29 lots of ammunition, equating to around 300 rounds.
Among items handed in were 110 guns, 158 knives and other bladed weapons and 29 lots of ammunition, equating to around 300 rounds.
West Yorkshire Police Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Angela Williams said: "We are delighted with the response. Two weeks ago these items were in circulation and had the potential to fall into the wrong hands and harm our communities – now they are in our possession and will never be used for criminality.”
The campaign was supported by Leeds father-of-three Christopher Wright. He was left fighting for his life after being gunned down on the doorstep of his Leeds home in April 2010.
He said: “I was very pleased to support the campaign and I am over the moon with the response. Clearly this will remove some of the potential danger and mean that t other families do not have to endure what we have.”
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "This is very positive and demonstrates just how valuable giving people the opportunity to hand in weapons is. These weapons will now be disposed of safely, taking away any chance of them ever being used to commit a crime or ruin anyone’s life in the future.
"I would like to reiterate my appreciation and thanks to Christopher Wright for supporting this campaign which definitely contributed to its success.”
The weapons surrender, the force's third in recent years, involved police urging members of the public to hand in any weapons. It aimed to avoid weapons getting into the wrong hands and provide members of the community with a safe place to dispose of firearms, ammunition, knives and other weapons they have.
West Yorkshire Police told Radio Aire they are still keen to hear from anyone who may have information about the illegal possession of firearms including ammunition and are seeking help to identify so-called ‘safe’ houses where they may be held.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111, or going to www.crimestoppers-uk.org and using the Anonymous Online Form.