Guns and ammunition can be surrendered to police for the next fortnight - with no questions asked.

The amnesty began on Thursday (May 12) and lasts until May 29.

Many firearms are held in innocently, with owners being unaware of their illegality.

Some are even overlooked and forgotten in people’s homes.

Others are held legally and are no longer required.

Still more are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to harm, threaten, and intimidate their local communities.

The National Firearms Surrender gives people the chance to dispose of firearms or ammunition by simply taking them to a local police station and handing them over.

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Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed, and illegal weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and it gives members of the public an opportunity to dispose of them safely.

During that period, people surrendering firearms can be anonymous and they will not face prosecution for the illegal possession at the point of surrender.

Guns and ammunition can be surrendered at any police station across the UK but anyone handing in a firearm, ammunition, or any other weapon during the surrender is advised to check the opening times of their local station in advance by visiting their local force website or calling 101.

Some forces will arrange collection from a home address.