Hertfordshire is taking part in a national campaign between Monday 3 and Friday 28 February.

During the amnesty, members of the public, and retailers, are encouraged to contact police to arrange to surrender Turkish manufactured Top-Venting Blank-Firing (TVBF) firearms.

The four-week amnesty is a campaign to remove the Turkish TVBF firearms from falling into the wrong hands as they can be converted into viable weapons. Whilst nationally firearms crime remains low, there are still very serious incidents taking place involving guns. Most TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible, however, the Turkish TVBF is readily convertible and therefore illegal to own.

The amnesty has been arranged to allow people who are unwittingly committing an offence, under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968, by owning a Turkish TVBF to hand it into the police without prosecution.

To arrange an appointment for a surrender, or to make enquiries about the amnesty, owners will need to email: [email protected]. 

Superintendent Clare Smith, who is leading the campaign said: "Regular weapons amnesties are part of our continuing efforts to reduce violent crime in the county and nationally and whilst we do not anticipate that there are many of these kinds of firearms in Hertfordshire, just one could easily be converted into a lethal weapon.

"Firearms incidents are uncommon in Hertfordshire and by ensuring that potentially viable firearms are removed from public ownership we can continue to keep our street and communities safe."

If you suspect anyone is involved with illegal firearms, please call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.