Police in safety call to gun owners

Police are calling for firearms owners to make sure their guns are being kept securely before officers begin a series of unannounced home visits.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Oct 2014, 19:00 BST
Is your gun stored securely?Is your gun stored securely?
Is your gun stored securely?

From Wednesday, officers in Lancashire, as well as across the country, will be visiting firearms owners to speak with them about security and crime prevention.

Nationally, over the last five years a total of 3,296 licensed firearms and shotguns have been reported as stolen or lost.

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However, the annual number lost or stolen has fallen from 553 in 2009 to 415 in 2013.

Police say while this reduction “highlights the positive work of both the police and gun owners”, one stolen or lost gun is still too 
many.

Chief Insp Richard Blackburn, Firearms Licensing Manager at Lancashire Police, said: “We’re not trying to catch out gun owners, which is why we are giving notice that these visits will be taking place.

“We want to work together with the shooting community to encourage people to keep their guns secure and give crime prevention advice where appropriate.”

Anyone with any concerns or information about illegal firearms can call Lancashire Police on 101.