Nearly 250 guns were handed in to Greater Manchester Police during a two-week nationwide amnesty aiming to rid the streets of firearms.
In 2014, 225 guns were taken off the streets while 221 weapons were given up last year.
After the attack on Halton McCollin in 2008, when he died just three days after being shot in the head, his father and friends have joined the GMP in a plea, appealing for people to give up the gun.
GMP Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said of the November 13-26 amnesty: “The surrender has been a great success and has seen 243 weapons taken off the streets, which is 243 fewer weapons that can cause harm and devastation within our communities.
“Although our surrender has finished, our fight against gun crime is far from over and we continue to focus our activity against those that use guns in their criminal activities.
“If you know somebody who has a gun, or is involved in firearms criminality, please tell us about it before another family is torn apart by a bullet.”
You can follow the developments of the amnesty on social media using the hashtag #giveupthegun
Despite the plea a 49-year-old man, John Louden, was shot in the chest inside his own home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester on Monday evening and remains in a serious condition.
A gang of three men reportedly broke into the victim’s house and shot him on the stairs, after he had managed to seek refuge in a bedroom and dial 999 for the emergency services.
Detective Inspector Matthew Moor said: “Our team have launched a full investigation to understand why these men broke into the victim’s home and shot him.
“He has been left with serious injuries and we need to find the people responsible, so they can be held to account for a callous attack on this man in his own home.
“Someone will know something about this incident, and we’d urge you to share any information you have with police, even a minor detail could be the key to this investigation.”
To report gun crime, contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 or crime in progress. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of National Police Chiefs’ Council via YouTube, with thanks.
