Nationwide firearms amnesty launched

The mothers of the two teenage friends murdered in a New Year shooting are launching a nationwide guns amnesty.

Marcia Shakespeare and Beverley Thomas will join West Midlands Police at the Community Fire Station, Handsworth, Birmingham, to promote a fresh campaign to rid the streets of firearms.

Mrs Shakespeare's daughter, 17-year-old Letisha, and Mrs Thomas' daughter, 18-year-old Charlene Ellis, were shot dead during a confrontation between rival armed gangs during a party to celebrate New Year at a hairdressers salon in the Aston area of the city on January 2.

The shootings, in which Charlene's twin sister, Sophie, and their cousin, Cheryl Shaw, were both injured, prompted renewed calls for an end to gun warfare which has plagued parts of North Birmingham.

During the amnesty, which runs until April 30, people will be able to hand in firearms and ammunition to any police station in the country without being prosecuted for illegal possession.

Officers are also encouraging people to hand in air weapons and imitation guns, which are frequently used in crime.

The move comes ahead of the introduction of a minimum five-year jail sentence for illegal possession of prohibited firearms.

The Government also plans to pass new laws banning the carrying of imitation guns or air weapons in a public place.

West Midlands Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee said: "This amnesty is offering people a last chance to get rid of firearms, air weapons and replica guns before the changes in the law are introduced. People in possession of these weapons should be under no illusion that following the amnesty anyone found in possession of firearms will face severe penalties."

Most watched News videos