ESSEX Police is holding a two week Gun Surrender period to allow people to dispose of firearms.

The force has taken the step as recent changes to legislation mean that it is now illegal for some people to hold antique weapons.

Other police forces have already held Gun Surrrenders with positive results and the the force is keen to take the opportunity to prevent firearms from ending up in the wrong hands.

Assistant Chief Con Matthew Horne said: "We are looking for public support to get as many guns off the streets and out of potential criminal circulation as we can. Every gun given up is one less that criminals can use.

"The illegal possession of firearms in Essex has remained fairly constant over the past five years at around 330 offences per year. This covers the whole range of firearms including air weapons and pepper spray and we believe this Gun Surrender could help reduce that number significantly.

"The tragic death of PC Ian Dibell, who was shot dead while trying to disarm a man in Clacton in 2012, is an all too recent reminder of the fatal consequences that can come from the possession of guns.”

In total there will be 10 police stations across Essex which will be receiving weapons and ammunition that are disposed of during the surrender period between 8am on Friday November 7 and 11pm on Friday November 21.

They are the main stations in Colchester, Clacton, Southend, Rayleigh, Chelmsford, Basildon, Loughton, Brentwood, Harlow and Grays. They will be open to receive firearms between 8am and midnight, except Loughton and Brentwood which are open from midday until 6pm.

The surrender does not provide immunity from prosecution for the life of the firearm but is intended to provide an amnesty for possession of the gun at the point of surrender to the police.

If a gun is examined and it is believed to have previously been used in a crime or is subject to current investigation then prosecution will still be considered.

Recent changes in legislation on antique firearms also mean that someone who has received a criminal sentence, or suspended criminal sentence, of more than three months can no longer possess one of these guns.

If they have served up to three years they are banned for five years, and if they served longer then the ban is permanent.

Antique weapons are exempt from licensing laws as the ammunition to use them is now obsolete. However there has been evidence of some criminal gangs making their own bullets to use in these weapons.

Assistant Chief Con Horne said: "There are probably a number of people with heirloom guns that date back decades which may be kept in a drawer or the attic.

"I would ask these people to consider whether they still need to hold on to them. If you don’t then we will happily take them off your hands and make sure they are appropriately disposed of.”

Staff at the designated police stations have been trained in how to safely handle any weapons brought in but Assistant Chief Con Horne added: "If you wish to bring in a firearm then it is very important to make sure that any ammunition has been removed before you do. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this then you should not attempt to try it.

"Call Essex Police on 101, we will come to your home, assess the weapon and make sure that any bullets are removed and there is no danger to anyone.

"We do not want people to put themselves, or others, at risk by carrying loaded weapons into police stations or trying to unload them without the knowledge to do so.”

As well as illegally held guns and ammunition the surrender period will also cover imitation firearms, air weapons, stun guns and CS gas or pepper spray. It does not cover other items such as knives, machetes and swords.

Anyone planning to bring in an unloaded weapon is advised to place it in a bag or holdall so they do not alarm other members of the public.

They should also only take guns to the 10 designated police stations and should not take them into other stations or try to give them to officers or PCSOs on patrol.