Dozens of weapons handed in during two-week firearms amnesty
Essex Police - Credit: Archant
Nearly 50 firearms were handed in to police during a two-week firearms surrender.
The initiative ran from July 20 until August 4 and encouraged anyone who had a gun which they didn't want, need or have a licence for to hand it in to officers.
According to the terms of the initiative, anyone who possessed a firearm illegally would not face prosecution for the illegal possession at the point of surrender.
In total, police said 47 firearms and a 581 rounds of ammunition were handed in.
Items surrendered included a one inch calibre military signal gun, a Second World War .38 service revolver, a Mauser 7.65 pistol, a Colt .45 single-action revolver, and eight shotguns.
Detective Superintendent Nick Gossett, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "There has been a really positive response to the firearm surrender and I want to thank all those who took part.
"Even one gun handed in to us is one fewer gun that could get into the hands of a criminal and be used to threaten, create fear or harm someone.
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"Our officers regularly carry out proactive operations to tackle criminals using weapons and target those who are possessing them illegally.
"We've carried out a number of warrants in the last year where we've seized a significant number of illegally held firearms and this surrender is just another way we're protecting Essex."