Gun surrender deadline extended

To date, more than 50 ballistic items have been surrendered along with several handguns, over 1,800 rounds of assorted live ammunition and a selection of shotguns and shotgun components, air weapons and pistols.

It’s nine years since the force last asked members of the public to surrender unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to help prevent them getting into the wrong hands.

The surrender, in response to a law change in July, is codenamed Operation Holster and will allow owners of antique or unwanted firearms to hand them over without fear of prosecution.

Surrendering unwanted or unlicensed weapons avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that people can dispose of firearms and ammunition safely.

New firearms legislation came into effect in July increasing the maximum jail term for illegal gun possession with aggravating features from 10 years to life and now includes anyone who is storing a weapon for someone else.

It also includes antique firearms amid fears obsolete weapons can be made viable by criminals with ballistics know-how.

To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station, phone 101 before travelling.

Items can be left at the following police stations: Burnley (open 8am to 10pm Monday to Sunday), Colne (open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday (closed 2pm - 3pm), Barnoldswick (open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday (closed 2pm - 3pm) or Nelson (open 9am to 8pm Monday to Sunday).