POLICE are set to hold a two-week gun amnesty.

Owners of illegal firearms will be allowed to surrender their weapons anonymously at Warrington Police Station without being prosecuted between Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, August 4.

A similar scheme in 2017 saw a total of 15 firearms and ammunition handed in at the Arpley Street station.

Cheshire Police inspector David Price said: "Although crime involving illegal guns remains low in Cheshire, we know there will still be people out there who will be in possession of them.

"In the majority of cases, we tend to find either those with guns have long-forgotten they have one hidden away in lofts and sheds, while others don’t realise the firearm they have need to be legally registered by police.

"I would also encourage people to hand in imitation firearms or air weapons which can look just as real to victims of crime and can be used to intimidate and instil fear.

"It isn’t unusual for the public to hand in firearms throughout the year, however the next two weeks is an opportunity to remind people who may have an unwanted weapon that they can remove them anonymously without being prosecuted.

"It goes without saying that if you hand in an illegal or imitation firearm then you will be ensuring they don’t get into the hands of criminals, making your community a safer place."

Possession of a gun can often lead a prison sentence of around five years, with officers also appealing for imitation firearms such as airsoft weapons or BB guns to be surrendered.

Other police stations holding amnesties across Cheshire include Widnes, Runcorn, Northwich, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield and Crewe.

Firearms will be deactivated and destroyed after they are handed in.

Police and crime commissioner David Keane added: "There are a number of reasons people may find themselves in possession of a firearm which they should not have, including inheritance or no longer having a use for it.

"This surrender provides the opportunity for people to hand over firearms to police which will prevent them from being picked up by criminals.

"Thankfully, Cheshire doesn’t have a huge problem with gun crime – but if a firearm gets in the wrong hands it can have serious and potentially fatal consequences.

"I’d encourage anyone who thinks they may illegally hold a firearm to do the right thing and hand it over to police."