POLICE in Kent are urging gun owners to hand in their weapons as part of a national gun amnesty.

From today until Wednesday, April 30, gun owners can hand in their firearms at any police station without the fear of being arrested or prosecuted.

Supt Jerry Price said the purpose of the amnesty was to make the streets safer.

He said: “Gun crime is unacceptable. This amnesty is an excellent opportunity for people to hand in illegally held guns and ammunition, imitation firearms and air guns used for criminal purposes.

“Guns can be handed in at local police stations with no questions asked, no ID required, no fear of arrest and no fear of prosecution.”

The amnesty was launched at Kent Police headquarters in Sutton Road, Maidstone this morning.

The Government will soon be introducing a mandatory, five-year minimum sentence for the possession of a prohibited firearm.

Last year 97 lives were lost to gun crime, including Charlene Ellis, 18 and her 17-year-old cousin Latisha Shakespeare, who were shot at a New Year’s Eve party.