A GUN amnesty aims to reduce the risk of ammunition getting into the wrong hands.

Cheshire Police is taking part in a nationwide firearms surrender from November 13 to 26.

The initiative gives people the chance the chance to safely dispose of firearms or ammunition, whether held lawfully or unlawfully, without the risk of being prosecuted for illegally possessing a firearm.

It can often be the case that some people have a firearm long-forgotten and gathering dust in a loft or shed, while others don’t realise the firearm they have needs to be legally registered with police.

Others are acquired illegally and distributed by criminal networks to harm, threaten and intimidate.

Inspector Dave Price said: “Gun crime in Cheshire is low and that’s the way we want to keep it which is why I would urge people to use this surrender as an opportunity to handover any unwanted firearms, whether that’s an illegal firearm that they have in their possession, a licenced firearm that they no longer used or a wartime family relic that they don’t know what to do with.

“By handing any unwanted firearms over to us we can ensure that they are disposed of safely and don’t get into the wrong hands.”

Throughout the two week surrender members of the public will be able to hand in firearms or ammunition at Widnes Police Station on Gerrard Street.

All the weapons handed to officers will be examined to ensure that they have not been used in any criminal offences, before being deactivated and destroyed.

Anyone concerned about illegal weapons in their community is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101.

Alternatively information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.