GMP guns hand in - at a police station near you!

Date published: 25/09/2006

During October, Greater Manchester Police is encouraging the people of Greater Manchester to say "No to Guns’ by allowing them to hand in their guns and weapons, without fear of prosecution, at their nearest police station.

The Greater Manchester Police Gun Hand In will take place for one month only from Monday 2 October 2006 to Tuesday 31 October 2006.  The hand in will make it very simple for anyone in Greater Manchester to give up both real and imitation guns, ammunition and weapons with complete anonymity.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Jones, responsible for Crime Operations, said:  "The message of GMP’s Gun Hand In is simple, we want your gun, not your name.  This is your opportunity to surrender weapons with complete anonymity.  If you know someone who has a gun of any kind, real or fake, please encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity as every gun handed in, is one less that criminals can use.

"Two years ago, GMP launched Xcalibre, an initiative to combat gun crime with an ultimate aim to have gun-free streets.  As a result of this, there has been a year on year decrease in the number of firearms incidents.  However, spates of incidents are still happening and the only way we’re going to stop these and prevent people from being killed is by removing guns from our streets.  Although GMP has been planning the Hand In for some time, we believe, in light of recent incidents, that people really do want to make a stand against gun crime.  This is now your chance, as the offer is only available for one month."