Firearms amnesty, Leicestershire Police, Loughborough, Hinckley, Syston, Market Harborough, Melton, Oakham, Braunstone, Coalville, Mansfield House, Keyham Lane, Spinney Hill, Beaumont Leys, Wigston

Firearms amnesty – September 21 to October 6 2013

Police ask public to hand in unwanted firearms

Leicestershire Police is holding a two week long firearms amnesty to appeal for the surrender of unlawfully held and unwanted firearms and ammunition.

It is believed that a number of firearms are held by people in innocence and ignorance of their illegality. They could be in the home, but overlooked or forgotten, or someone could have come into possession of one through the death of a relative, for example.

To avoid these weapons getting into the wrong hands, and to provide members of the community with a safe place to dispose of any firearms they are unlawfully, or lawfully, in possession of, an amnesty is being held from Saturday 21 September until Sunday 6 October.

During that period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and they also have the opportunity to remain anonymous.

Chief Inspector Chris Brown of Leicestershire Police’s Operational Support Department said: “Fortunately gun crime within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is statistically low, which is a result of continued efforts from the Force. However, there was one death by firearm this year, which is extremely unusual for the city and county, but this is one death too many. We want as many weapons off the street as possible and would encourage people to hand them in.

“In addition to the amnesty, we continually work hard to educate young people about firearms and the dangers that come with them, to ensure that gun crime doesn’t become a problem for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”

Police officers regularly go into schools to present a hard hitting video called ‘Split Second’ to raise awareness. It features local officers and depicts young people getting involved with firearms and imitation firearms.

Anyone handing in a firearm during the amnesty is advised to check the opening times of the police stationand then phone ahead before leaving home. They will then be advised on how to best transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station.



The main collecting local policing units are:

• Loughborough
• Hinckley
• Syston
• Market Harborough
• Melton
• Oakham
• Braunstone
• Coalville
• Mansfield House
• Keyham Lane
• Spinney Hill
• Beaumont Leys
• Wigston

For further information and advice, people can contact the front desk at their local policing unit on 101.


Public always Happy to Assist the Police

City PCSO James George has cycled over 1000 miles in 12 months as part of his beat patrols in Beaumont Leys

PCSO clocks up 1000 miles on police pedal cycle

PCSO James George with Cycle

City PCSO James George has cycled over 1000 miles in 12 months as part of his beat patrols in Beaumont Leys, that’s more miles than the length of the country.

In March 2011, PCSO George was bought a specialized mountain bike by Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, to assist him on his daily patrols around the beat.

Since September 2011, PCSO George has been recording his daily miles using a small cycle computer fixed to his bike, which is liveried up with the Beaumont Shopping Centre logos.

Leicestershire Police currently have 264 pedal cycles that are used on a regular basis.

PCSO George said: “I thought it would be a good idea just to see how many miles I covered on my bike. I was asked recently how many miles I had covered, and to my surprise I realised I had completed 1,024 miles in just under a 12 month period.

“I really enjoy being out on the bike and every day is different. I do enough cycling at work so I leave the bike alone outside of work hours.

Sarah Duffin, centre manager Beaumont Shopping Centre said: "James has gone the extra mile for us, our shoppers and staff. It’s great to know that he's out and about doing a good job in our local community thanks to his pedal power."