Rifles and samurai swords among weapons handed in to police

Police said they were delighted the weapons are now in their custody and don’t face the risk of falling into the hands of criminals.

A total of 65 firearms, 120 knives and swords and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were given in at police stations across South Yorkshire during the amnesty that ended last Tuesday.

Many are believed to be family heirlooms which modern owners realise are now illegal, and others have been handed over by antiques dealers after house clearances.

Four times the number of weapons have been handed in during the latest amnesty than in a previous one two years ago.

The weapons haul was revealed at Rotherham Police Station on Main Street by DCI Steve Whittaker who said that although no details were taken when the weapons were handed over, each one would be forensically examined to see if it is linked to any crimes nationally.

Many of the weapons will be melted down and DCI Whittaker said there has been a suggestion that the metal is formed into a plaque. More unusual examples will be given to the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds.

Mr Whittaker said the amnesty had been an “unprecedented success” and admitted the size of the collection had taken officers aback.

He said: “I think people are more aware of firearms in the light of the terrorist attacks in Paris. The landscape with regard to handguns has changed a lot over the last 12 months.

“People are more aware of the impact weapons can have now.

“It’s all about removing the potential chance of the weapons coming into the hands of criminals.”

Mr Whittaker admitted the weapons were unlikely to have been handed in by hardened criminals but said it meant that each one could not now fall into the hands of criminal gangs.

Some of the weapons handed in may date from as far back as First World War, said Mr Whittaker, and although many are currently unable to fire they could easily be converted into dangerous weapons again. He said that “blank firers” could still be used to intimidate crime victims.

Mr Whittaker said: “I want to thank the people of South Yorkshire for bringing the weapons in.

“It’s important to run amnesties to show to the public that the police take firearms seriously.”

Mr Whittaker said that while the haul of weapons may be frightening to some people, it was important to realise that gun crime is still uncommon.

He said: “What I would say is a lot of gun crimes are targeted attacks.

“In our experience it’s a small amount of people that are going around thinking it’s their business to sell drugs and enforce that with firearms.”