Shropshire police reveal deadly weapons haul
Thousands of deadly weapons including guns, swords and crossbows have been recovered by police officers across Shropshire during the last three years, new figures reveal. Thousands of deadly weapons including guns, swords and crossbows have been recovered by police officers across Shropshire during the last three years, new figures reveal. Statistics show 3,661 weapons were seized by officers or handed in at police stations across the county in 2008, 2009 and 2010. A total of 2,243 were handed in the Shropshire division and 1,418 from Telford. More than 1,000 guns were cleared from the county's streets including 888 by police in Shropshire — three times as many as in Telford where 237 were recovered. Police say 1,837 knives, including blades, flick knives, kitchen knives, pen knives and swords, were collected by officers. Read more in today's Shropshire Star
Thousands of deadly weapons including guns, swords and crossbows have been recovered by police officers across Shropshire during the last three years, new figures reveal.
Statistics show 3,661 weapons were seized by officers or handed in at police stations across the county in 2008, 2009 and 2010. A total of 2,243 were handed in the Shropshire division and 1,418 from Telford.
More than 1,000 guns were cleared from the county's streets including 888 by police in Shropshire — three times as many as in Telford where 237 were recovered.
Police say 1,837 knives, including blades, flick knives, kitchen knives, pen knives and swords, were collected by officers.
The figures were gained following a Freedom of Information request by the Shropshire Star.
DCI Alan Edwards, of Shropshire territorial policing unit, said: "Offences involving any kind of weapon remain comparatively rare in Shropshire and police are committed to ensuring things remain that way.
"Items such as knives and shotguns, the overwhelming majority of which are legally held, may be seized or handed in to the police for a wide variety of reasons.
"Due to the rural nature of the county, the area covered by Shropshire territorial policing unit does have a large number of licensed shotgun and firearms licence holders, more so than an urban area such as Telford.
"These may be handed in to police for a number of reasons, such as the owner no longer wishing to renew their certificate or by the family of a deceased licence holder."
Unusual weapons recovered including bolts and arrows, crossbows, and knuckle-dusters.
Acting chief inspector Keith Gee, of Telford police, said: "There are many reasons why such weapons and firearms come into the police's possession. Some are found when clearing out houses, some are seized because of issues with firearms licences and some are seized as evidence of crimes or for issues of safety.
"The relatively low numbers reflect the fact that crimes involving firearms and weapons remain at a low level."
