Five days left to surrender weapons

The force’s 14-day weapon amnesty began last week to give people an opportunity to surrender guns, swords, ammunition and more without being prosecuted.

South Yorkshire Police said even if the weapon was illegally owned no prosecution would be brought.

The surrender began on July 11 and ends at 11.59pm on Monday, July 25, and while immunity is provided against prosecution for possession at the time of surrendering the weapon, if it is later found to have been used in previous criminal activity, it will be investigated by police and there could be potential prosecutions.

Surrendered weapons can be taken to the police stations that have a public enquiry desk; Main Street in Rotherham, Snig Hill, Moss Way and Ecclesfield in Sheffield, College Road in Doncaster, Churchfields in Barnsley.

The force said it hopes the amnesty will remove guns and knives from the streets and keep them from falling into the wrong hands.

Det Chief Insp Steve Whittaker said: “Anyone who chooses to hand in a firearm or knife during the 14-day surrender, will not be prosecuted for possession, whether the weapon is illegally owned or if it’s just been passed down as a family heirloom and is no longer wanted.

“The type of weapons that can be handed in during the surrender include, but are not limited to, air weapons, BB guns, handguns, antique firearms, imitation firearms, ammunition, samurai swords, machetes, switchblades and daggers.” 

DCI Whittaker added: “I would strongly encourage people to take advantage of the surrender and hand in any weapon that is unwanted or illegally owned; every gun and knife given up is one less that can end up in potential criminal circulation.”

The opening times of each station can be found at www.southyorkshire.police.uk

For further information regarding the surrender call South Yorkshire Police on 101.