A PAIR of imitation firearms were handed in by family members in Wallasey following Merseyside Police’s two-week appeal for people to hand over guns and ammunition.

The campaign began on May 12 and finished on Sunday, May 29 when people in Merseyside can hand over any firearms and ammunition in a safe way by calling 101 and arranging for an officer to collect it.

During the campaign, people will not face prosecution for the illegal possession at the point of surrender and can remain anonymous.

Since the surrender began 19 items have been handed into Merseyside Police and taken out of circulation which prevents them from ending up in the hands of criminals.

Two imitation firearms were handed in by family members in Wallasey after discovering them in a relative’s home.

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Police were contacted to ensure the items are disposed of safely and do not fall into the wrong hands.

A working firearm loaded with bullets was also found behind a garden shed in Toxteth in Liverpool. The weapon is now being forensically tested.

Detective Chief Superintendent and Head of Investigations Mark Kameen said: “It is great to see members of the public backing this campaign by handing in and discovering weapons on their property.

“The working firearm found in a garden, which had ammunition in the cylinder, highlights the importance of looking around your garden for any weapons that are stored there without your knowledge.

“Thankfully this dangerous firearm is now off our streets, preventing serious injury to people.

“All the items handed in so far are a great result because generally members of the public wouldn’t know the difference between a BB gun or a more dangerous weapon if confronted with one.”

Earlier this month, officers also recovered four working firearms – which were two self-loading pistols, a sub-machine gun, and a sawn-off shotgun.

The number of discharges in Merseyside is the lowest figure for 21 years with 39 firearms discharges in the region in the year ending March.

Mr Kameen added: “I continue to urge people who have firearms in their possession to please contact us so we can collect them and dispose of them in a responsible manner.

“Just imagine if the worst happens and your home was broken into, and your weapon ends up in the wrong hands?

“Criminals could then use the weapon to threaten, injure or kill someone so it is imperative that we remove them from our streets and take them out of circulation.

“Every weapon taken off our streets can save a life or prevent serious injury.”