Two weeks of national gun amnesty has launched,

Metropolitan Police have launched a two week campaign to call on Londoners to hand in a firearm or ammunition to police and not face prosecution for illegal possession, and can remain anonymous.

The gun surrender is in partnership with City of London Police and weapons including handguns, shotguns, rifles, BB guns, or even antique or military weapons can be handed in at one of 34 police stations across the capital.

Commander Jim Stokley, of the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "The guns we see being used in shooting incidents in London are often converted, formerly legally-owned, firearms.

"Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm their local communities.

"We know that friends, family members and girlfriends of gang members are often asked to look after firearms to hide them from police, but saying ‘it’s not my gun’ is not a defence. Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars, and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply, that can lead to an even longer prison sentence."

Commander Jim Stokley, of the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command, said: “We urge members of the public who may have any unwanted guns to hand them in to police to prevent them from falling into criminal hands.

“The guns we see being used in shooting incidents in London are often converted, formerly legally-owned, firearms.

“Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm their local communities.

“We know that friends, family members and girlfriends of gang members are often asked to look after firearms to hide them from police, but saying ‘it’s not my gun’ is not a defence. Illegal possession of a firearm can mean five years behind bars, and if you are found guilty of possession with intent to supply, that can lead to an even longer prison sentence."

The aim is to prevent the guns from getting into the wrong hands or ending up being used as part of a criminal offence.

The surrender will run for two weeks from November 13-26 and those who would like to hand in a firearm or ammunition can check the opening times of their station in advance by visiting www.met.police.uk .

If you know of anyone involved with illegal firearms, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.