Two week weapons surrender under way in Wiltshire Published duration 5 September 2015

image copyright Thinkstock image caption Anyone who has served or received a criminal sentence can not possess an antique weapon

People with illegal firearms or ammunition are being offered a two-week chance to surrender them to police.

Officers say legislation changed last July and people may be unaware they are holding guns illegally.

Wiltshire Police said officers would investigate the weapons' history and if there is any evidence linking it to a crime officers could still prosecute.

A spokesman said the weapons surrender protected people from prosecution for illegally owning firearms.

To hand in a weapon, people have to call the force's non-emergency line, 101, to make an appointment for it to be collected.

It began at 08:00 BST on Saturday and runs to 21:00 on 20 September.

In previous campaigns Wiltshire Police said it collected antique guns, air weapons, rifles, and shotguns.

From 14 July 2014 any person who has served or received a criminal sentence can not possess an antique firearm.

Those receiving a suspended sentence of three months or more cannot purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition for a period of five years from sentence.