More than 20 guns have been handed to police in Kent during the first week of a national firearms surrender.

Kent Police are taking part in a campaign aimed at encouraging people to give in unwanted firearms, stun guns and pepper sprays.

The two-week surrender began on Saturday, July 20 and will run until Saturday, August 4, with 26 firearms already handed in.

This includes nine air rifles and 14 shotguns, along with 124 rounds of ammunition.

During this period, illegal guns, ammunition, pepper spray and stun guns can be taken to nominated stations where they can be disposed of.

Replica and antique firearms, air weapons, imitation firearms, BB guns and component parts are also on the list of accepted items.

Those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession at the point of surrender and can remain anonymous.

It is the second time the force has promoted a firearms surrender this year.

Between January 21 and February 6, 172 firearms and around 4,000 rounds of ammunition were handed in.

Superintendent Mick Gardner of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "We are pleased people are thinking about what they have in their possession and bringing them in to stations.

"This surrender is a good opportunity to dispose of unwanted, unlicensed weapons in a safe place.

"We also want to remind people to hand in stun guns and pepper sprays, which are also illegal. They are available to order online it is highly likely there are a number of people who possess them and are completely unaware that it is a criminal offences to do so.

"Just one firearm handed in is one firearm taken off the streets and unable to get into the wrong hands."

During the surrender the public can hand firearms to the front counter at police stations in Folkestone, Margate, Ashford, Canterbury, Tonbridge, Maidstone, North Kent, Medway, Sittingbourne.

To check the opening times of the station you wish to visit www.kent.police.uk/your-area

Anyone wishing to dispose of unwanted firearms or ammunition who cannot attend the above stations should call 101 to arrange collection.

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