National Firearms Surrender Update

The current firearms surrender has started very well with hundreds of items already handed in across England, Scotland and Wales.

The two-week campaign, coordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) runs until this Sunday, 29 May 2022.

Wiltshire Police and other forces have supported the surrender initiative and are encouraging members of the public to give up their unwanted guns and ammunition. Items can be surrendered anonymously at local police stations.

National Police Chief’s Council Lead for Criminal Use of Firearms, DCC Helen McMillan asked forces to take part in the national surrender initiative. The two-week campaign supports the Government’s on-going Serious Violence Strategy. The last national firearms surrender took place in Summer 2019 and saw a significant number of items handed in. Wiltshire had 190 items handed in during that surrender.

Head of NABIS, Detective Chief Superintendent Jo Clews said: “We are very pleased with the public’s response so far and satisfied that so many firearms and ammunition have already been handed in to police. This means there are fewer guns which can potentially get into the hands of criminals and cause fear or harm. We want to help police forces tackle gun crime, reduce serious violence in communities and, ultimately, save lives.”  

Latest figures issued by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a 5% decrease in firearms offences in England and Wales for the 12-month period up to the end of December 2021 compared to the previous year. Offences fell from 5,983 to 5,682 (these stats cover England & Wales and relate to all firearms offences, not just gun discharges).

During the surrender members of the public are encouraged to take firearms into nominated Wiltshire police stations and hand them over the front counter:

CHIPPENHAM POLICE STATION

Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER

Opening times Mon-Fri 8:30 - 17:30

MELKSHAM POLICE STATION

Hampton Park West, Melksham,SN12 6QQ

Opening times Mon-Fri 8:30 - 17:30

SWINDON POLICE STATION

Gablecross, Shrivenham Road, Swindon,SN3 4RB

Opening times Mon-Fri 8:30 - 17:30 Sat 8:30 - 13.00

SALISBURY POLICE STATION

Bourne Hill, Salisbury, SP1 3UZ

Opening times Mon-Fri 8:30 - 17:30 Sat 9:00 - 13.00

TROWBRIDGE POLICE STATION

Polebarn Road, Trowbridge,BA14 7EP

Opening times Mon-Fri 8:30 - 17:30

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms contact Wiltshire Police through the reporting section of the website or call 101.

You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For more surrender updates and information about NABIS follow them on Twitter @NABIS_UK

#GunSurrender