South Wales Police say it is extending its firearms surrender campaign following an “extremely positive public response”.
During the month of February, the force says it supported a national month-long campaign to encourage the public to surrender firearms to the police to prevent them falling into the wrong hands.
In total, 160 items were surrendered in South Wales for safe destruction during the period.
Among that total were 32 top-venting blank firer guns, which recently became illegal following a change in legislation, and six other illegal firearms.
Twenty-five licensed firearms were also surrendered alongside other firearms such as air weapons and BB guns.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Williams, gun crime lead for South Wales Police, thanked the local communities for supporting the campaign.
“The response from the public to our In The Wrong Hands surrender period was extremely encouraging, so much so that we would like to extend the period to keep raising that awareness.
“Fortunately, gun crime rates in south Wales remain extremely low, but a recent tragic murder in one of our own communities demonstrates just how devastating the consequences can be if firearms fall into the possession of the wrong people.
“As well as traditional firearms such as shotguns and pistols, an imitation firearm, such as a BB gun or an air weapon, can be used to cause injury or perpetrate serious offences.
“We cannot be complacent, and just one incident involving a firearm is one too many, and so I implore the local community to keep working with us to keep our communities safe from gun crime.”
While surrender periods are an opportunity to raise awareness of firearms legislation and the part we can all play in keeping our communities safe, members of the public do not have to wait for a surrender campaign in order to hand a weapon in.
During the extended surrender period, which runs until the end of April, firearms, ammunition and accessories, can be taken to the following stations for safe disposal:
- Swansea Central
- Neath
- Cardiff Bay
- Cardiff Central
- Barry
- Bridgend
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Pontypridd
