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Police launch firearms surrender month

Monday, 3 February 2025 14:17

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

South Wales Police

South Wales Police is supporting a national firearms amnesty throughout Febuary.

From today until 28th February, the public can surrender any weapons or ammunition at a local police station without facing prosecution.

Stations in Barry, Bridgend, Cardiff Bay and Central Central are among those taking part.

The force says that while gun crime in the region remains "extremely low", such amnesties aim to raise awareness of how the public can help keep the region safe.

Detective Inspector Chris Williams, who leads gun crime investigations, said: "A firearms surrender provides the public with the opportunity to safely surrender illegal or unwanted firearms, a number of which may be held by people with a lack of awareness of their illegality."

"For example, there was a change to legislation relating to ‘blank firing guns’ towards the end of 2024, which now makes certain models illegal to possess, and some people may not realise that."

"As part of the surrender period, members of the public will be able to take firearms into one of eight designated police stations across south Wales and hand them in at the front counter."

"Our communities should be reassured that gun crime rates in south Wales remain extremely low, and we want to keep it this way."

"As well as traditional firearms such as shotguns and pistols, an imitation firearm, such as a BB gun or an air weapon, can be used to cause injury or perpetrate serious offences. So, every firearm given up really is one less that can fall into the hands of a criminal."

The last surrender month saw 83 items - including 53 firearms - handed in to police stations in South Wales, including an air weapon from a school and items from a scout group.

DI Williams added: "The results of the last surrender period were extremely positive."

"Often there can be a lack of awareness about the legality of different weapons, or a lack of understanding about how best to dispose of them."

"The school who surrendered last time, for example, had confiscated an air weapon and had it stored securely as they weren’t sure of the correct method of disposal."

"The fact so many people came forward demonstrated the value in running such surrenders. I hope to see a similar response this time around, as every single weapon surrendered is one fewer that could potentially fall into the wrong hands."

South Wales Police said anyone surrendering a firearm or any other weapon will be granted immunity for possession at the point of surrender.

But they added the force has an obligation to investigate the history of the firearm to identify whether it is linked to crime.

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