People in the Braintree and Witham areas have handed over the most guns in any north Essex police division during a high-profile weapons amnesty.

More than 40 shotguns and handguns have been handed over throughout the Braintree police division since the amnesty began a month ago.

One of the more unusual weapons to be given up was a carbine rifle, believed to originate from the 19th century.

Terry Neafsey, one of two firearms officers for the Braintree area, said: "There has been quite a lot of stuff in the region of 40 to 50 rifles and handguns. But obviously the final figures have to be collated."

Another two weeks of the amnesty is left to go, with the slogan: We want your gun, not your name.

The initiative aims to cut the number of fatal shootings in Essex by letting people hand over weapons anonymously.

Published Monday, April 14, 2003

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