Police will accept both real and replica guns

During the last national amnesty seven years ago, more than 2,500 weapons were collected in the eastern counties.

Police say they are not just interested in illegal weapons; they also hope replicas, air guns, and weapons which fire blanks will be turned over.

Norfolk's deputy chief constable Colin Port said: "One of the great problems with firearms is the use of replica guns which are used in armed robberies.

"Unfortunately, a lot of these are used by young people."

Guns turned in during 1996 amnesty Essex: 793 Norfolk: 605 Suffolk: 450 Cambridgeshire: 200 Northamptonshire: 160 Beds, Herts & Bucks: 377

He said about 230 firearms were seized in Norfolk over the last year.

Northamptonshire Chief Inspector Pete Glover said people who hand in weapons need not fear prosecution.

He said: "They can surrender weapons in confidence if they wish, and will not be obliged to give their name or any other personal details about how or why they have the item."

Tougher laws

Police across the eastern region agree that gun crime is not just a "big city" issue.

Inspector Glover said: "Fortunately, gun crime in Northamptonshire is low compared with other parts of the country, but it is a growing problem everywhere and we should not be prepared to accept it."

Police told BBC Look East that firearms of historical importance will be handed over to museums.

The national amnesty comes ahead of the introduction of tougher national gun laws, which will include a five-year minimum sentence for illegal possession of a prohibited firearm.