Western Australia Police are urging licensed firearm holders to beef up levels of security beyond ensuring guns are locked in approved gun safes.

The call comes after Great Southern detectives recovered about 1,000 rounds of stolen ammunition and dozens of firearms.

Key points: Detectives recover stolen firearms and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition

Detectives recover stolen firearms and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition Silencers and instructions on how to convert high-powered rifles to automatic operation also were seized

Silencers and instructions on how to convert high-powered rifles to automatic operation also were seized Police say relying on gun cabinets is not enough

Great Southern Superintendent Dom Wood said the amount of thefts from legal gun safes was worrying.

"In the last few months we've seen an increase in thefts of firearms, particularly from rural properties. That is a huge concern to us," he said.

In an operation spanning several weeks, police executed search warrants on properties near Kojonup and Katanning.

During the operation they also seized firearm accessories such as silencers and manuals to convert high-powered rifles to totally automatic operation.

They also confiscated 80 grams of methamphetamine.

Police say some of the stolen guns are being traded for drugs. ( Supplied: Will Marwick )

'It's not just about the safe'

In WA, guns are required to be stored in approved cabinets, under the Firearms Act 1973.

Superintendent Wood said relying only on steel cabinets to deter thieves was not enough.

He said owners should install CCTV and not discuss on social media when they were away from their properties.

"It's very important that licensed firearm holders review their security regularly. It's not just about the safes," the superintendent said.

"There are several examples where the tools that have been used to gain access to steal property are actually the tools that are left lying around by people in these premises.

"So it's securing tools, securing weapons and all those other security measures."

Superintendent Wood and Detective Senior Sergeant Kris McDonald say details on arrests and charges are yet to be released. ( Supplied: Will Marwick )

Public information is valuable, police say

Public-supplied information on suspicious activity enabled Great Southern police to recover the stolen firearms and ammunition.

Superintendent Wood said information through Crime Stoppers had proven valuable.

"The information we get from the public is absolutely crucial, and using that information has helped increase that picture of criminality in that area," he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kris McDonald said details on arrests and charges were yet to be released.

"Court processes are underway. We have successfully charged a number of people with some significant offences in relation to possessing unlicensed firearms and also drug possession," Detective Senior Sergeant McDonald said.

"We keep some information close to us, [because] we want to build on the intelligence that the community is providing to us."

Call for mandatory prison terms for gun thieves

WA Firearm Traders Association president Bevan Steele has reiterated his call for mandatory prison terms for people convicted of stealing guns.

Mr Steele, who owns a gun shop in Narrogin and is a former police officer, said the penalties should be tougher.

"The currently penalty for people who are targeting theft of firearms is ridiculously low," he said.

"If you break into a house and steal guns it's the same penalty as breaking in and stealing the TV.

"The only thing that is going to stop crime is if the punishment deters people from doing it."

Mr Steele said gun safes may attract rather than deter thieves.

"It probably shouldn't be called a gun safe as much as a gun storage receptacle," he said.

"They are obviously a gun safe and there are minimum standards you have to comply by and the minimum standard is good.

"But effectively what you're telling the criminal is 'Here is all my stuff, break into this please'."