Police trigger gun plea

OLDHAMERS are being given the chance to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to police with no questions asked.

Greater Manchester Police is holding the gun amnesty from 7am tomorrow to help prevent firearms getting into the wrong hands. The amnesty will end at 11.59pm on Saturday, July 26.

The force says many firearms are held in innocence and ignorance of their illegality.

Detective Chief Inspector Debbie Dooley said: “Gun crime in Manchester continues to fall year on year since the last amnesty we held in 2008.

“This is a result of continued efforts from the force and our partners working together to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity.

“The last fatal shootings were the tragic circumstances surrounding police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone in 2012. These deaths, although not recent, are still far too many.

“We therefore want as many weapons as possible and would encourage people to hand them in.”

Weapons and ammunition can be surrendered at any police station.