Realistic Imitation Firearm’s Surrender 2008 - update

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Londoners were being urged to hand in realistic imitation guns during a four-week “Surrender” scheme launched by the Metropolitan Police Service.

 

From 21st January to 17th February, the public were able to hand in these weapons at any police station within London’s 32 boroughs without fear of prosecution for unlawful possession.

 

The scheme was targeted at realistic imitation guns because intelligence suggests they represent the largest number of firearms carried on London’s streets.   In addition around 50% of all gun-enabled crime, including street robberies, involve imitation firearms that have either been converted to fire live ammunition or are so realistic looking that they are indistinguishable from real firearms, causing great fear and distress. 

 

During the Surrender, people handing in weapons were not required to give their details.  The message was “We want your gun, not your name”.   

Wandsworth Police successfully had 21 firearms surrendered along with a substantial amount of ammunition as a result of the campaign.

 

Chief Inspector Harding, Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Wandsworth Borough said,

‘Operation Handover was an MPS wide operation to deal with the serious issue of imitation firearms on London's streets, which are used in around half of all gun-enabled crime. A large number of weapons were handed in during the four-week initiative, many by parents at police stations, and some even handed in at schools to Safer Schools' officers, who are very much on board with our work around tackling imitation firearms. Wandsworth contributed to this success where 21 real (6) and imitation (15) firearms were handed in.’

"These weapons may not be real but they cause as much fear and distress on our streets and we will continue to target the suppliers to make Londoners feel safer."

 

 

 

 

March 18, 2008