WILTSHIRE Police is setting its sights on owners of illegal guns with a mass firearm surrender event.

The force will hold a two-week surrender - which will see people able to hand in unlicensed weapons - from 8am on September 5 until 9pm on September 20.

The scheme is designed to combat unlicensed or unwanted firearms and ammunition.

With the change in firearms legislation last July, many owners of firearms may be unaware they are breaking the law, especially if guns are forgotten in people’s homes.

Under new legislation those on suspended sentences of three months to three years must not be in possession of a firearm within five years of the sentence ending.

Previously, those with suspended sentences were exempt from stringent gun licensing laws,

The laws around antique firearms have also been tightened with someone who has served or received a criminal sentence more than three years in length prohibited for life for possessing a firearm.

Sentencing guidelines for possession for sale or transfer of an unauthorised firearm or ammunition were also raised and this offence now carries a maximum penalty of life.

Inspector Steve McGrath said: “People can have old guns or replicas that they don’t use but are simply in their homes and they can be completely unaware they are breaking the law.

“Wiltshire is a safe county anyway but it always helps to have stringent laws around gun licensing

“There is always a trigger point, but we expect to have guns surrendered from both rural and urban areas.

“We are not complacent about gun crime, which is why we are conducting a two week surrender as we want as many firearms as possible to be handed in.

“In previous campaigns across the country there have been various firearms handed in including antique guns, air weapons, rifles and shotguns.”

For those wanting to surrender a firearm, people need to call Wiltshire Police on 101 with an appointment made so the firearm can be collected from the property.

Specialist police units will be available during the two-week period to collect firearms and appointments will be made at the earliest opportunity.

Firearm surrender will not provide immunity from prosecution for having an illegal firearm. The transfer is intended to provide an amnesty point so the firearm can be surrendered to a lawful authority.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.