GUN owners will be hit with home visits from today as officers join forces in an effort to ensure the safety of firearms in Swindon.

The initiative comes as figures show that over the last five years a total of 3,296 firearms have been lost or stolen nationally, alarming authorities.

While it is not known how many of the weapons disappeared in the Swindon area, recent incidents involving firearms have highlighted the issue, including an incident when a weapon was fired into a stationary car on September 30 in Banwell Avenue.

Home Office guidance has been updated to support officers conducting unannounced visits when there are concerns over safety.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, national policing lead for rirearms and explosives licensing, said: “Our aim is not to catch out gun owners, which is why we are giving notice that these visits will be taking place.

“We want to work with the shooting community to ensure gun owners are aware of how to keep their firearms secure and, where appropriate, give advice to individual owners.

“I know that the vast majority of gun owners understand their responsibility to secure firearms and in the main take this very seriously, which allows their continued lawful use for work or leisure purposes.

“A lost or stolen firearm could end up in the hands of criminals who would pose a clear threat to the public.”

Members of the five-strong firearms licensing team will work with neighbourhood policing teams on visits. Neighbourhood policing teams will do checks as part of normal routine when circumstances allow.

Visits will be in proportion to the number of registered firearms owners in a county. Wiltshire has 3,420 firearms owners and 13,500 shotgun owners.

Certificate holders clearly not complying with security measures could have certificates revoked.

Crimestoppers has created a dedicated phone line to encourage members of the shooting community and the general public to report any concerns about legally held firearms.

Mary Kerr, manager of the Wiltshire Police firearms and explosives licensing department, said: “The vast majority of firearm owners throughout Wilt-shire fully engage with us and are aware of their responsibilities for ensuring the safe storage of their weapons.”