HAMPSHIRE Constabulary saw more than 300 firearms handed in during a two-week period when the public were encouraged to give up any weapons they were holding illegally.

The public were asked to hand in illegal firearms and weapons as part of a Firearms and Ammunition Surrender which ran from November 13-27, so the police could dispose of them safely.

During that fortnight statistics show that 351 firearms were recovered and 95 quantities of ammunition in Hampshire. Neighbouring Thames Valley had more than 200 handed in.

Firearms handed in included a number of working illegally held self-loading pistols and working revolvers from World War I,, including two used during the Battle of the Somme.

Other interesting firearms included a gun made to look like walking stick handed in on the Isle of Wight, and another made to look like a pen.

A number of illegally held shotguns, including a sawn-off shotgun, were also handed in, as well as a revolver made in 1893, handguns, rifles and numerous air rifles and air pistols.

Other surrendered items include deactivated and imitation firearms and ball-bearing guns.

Hampshire joined police forces across the country to take part in the national campaign run by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS).

During the two-week campaign, those surrendering firearms did not face prosecution for the illegal possession upon surrender and can remain anonymous.

But it was not an amnesty and if further examination of a surrendered firearm reveals a link to a crime, the police had warned they would still be investigated.

Officers are now examining all items handed in and any linked to crimes committed will be kept as evidence and retained for any future court proceedings.

Chief Inspector Emma Baillie, head of armed response in Hampshire and Thames Valley, said: “We would like to thank everyone who handed in any firearms or ammunition as part of this surrender.

“This means there are 351 fewer firearms and imitation firearms on our streets which could have easily fallen into the hands of criminals.

“As a result our neighbourhoods are much safer, both for our residents and for our officers who work every day and night to protect them.”

Ch Insp Baillie added: “We are very pleased so many people took the opportunity to take part in this initiative and the number of firearms recovered certainly proves how valuable such a surrender is.

“Gun crime is low in Hampshire and has not seen a rise others force areas have, however we cannot be complacent and we will continue to do all we can to make our communities safer.”

More than 100 items were handed in to Surrey Police during the fortnight, including 37 rifles and air rifles, 20 pistols, 17 shot guns and a large quantity of ammunition.

Residents in the county also used the surrender campaign to safely dispose of items such as inert grenades, flare guns and BB guns – with no questions asked.

A proportion of the firearms will be destroyed but some may be retained by NABIS or museums if they are of significant interest or unusual.

• Although the two-week campaign has finished, firearms can be handed into police stations at any time for surrender and destruction.

If you find a firearm or are uncertain about the lawful possession and have any questions, police advise the public to call ahead or contact the force in their area on 101 for more advice.

If it is an emergency callers should dial 999.

You can also call rimestoppers – free and anonymously if you wish – on 0800 555111.