A two-week police gun amnesty begins on 13 November 2017 across the UK. During this period people will have an opportunity to dispose of firearms and ammunition safely. It is advertised as there being ‘no questions asked’ upon surrender.
Who is the campaign aiming to reach?
The police gun amnesty is aimed at two distinct groups of people. The first contains those who know they are in possession of illegal weapons or ammunition. The second group are those who are perhaps innocent custodians of a weapon and are maybe even unsure as to its legal status. Members of this group might be too frightened to do anything about it.
If I have a weapon what should I do?
You should ring 101 to make the necessary arrangements with the police. They will either direct you to take it to a nominated police station or arrange for its collection from you.
You do not have to give the police any information about yourself or the weapon if you do not wish to do so.
Will, I face prosecution?
As this is an amnesty you will not be prosecuted for possessing the weapon or ammunition at the point it is handed over to the police.
The police have made it clear, however, that the firearm may be inspected further to see whether it can be connected to any past criminal offences.
If the police discover that the weapon has been used in criminal activity then this will give rise to a further investigation. The amnesty does not prevent the police arresting, interviewing and prosecuting people for those other offence
Are we able to help?
You might be in one of the groups who wish to take advantage of the amnesty. You may, however, be worried about the issue of whether any criminal liability will arise.
If you have these worries then you will want to take advice before you take any action. Please contact one of our specialist criminal lawyers at the nearest office to you.
VHS Fletchers offices across the East Midlands
Alternatively, please use the contact form below.
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Category Archives: News
New recruit, Chesterfield Criminal defence solicitor Denney Lau, has hit the ground running in his first seven days at VHS Fletchers. His caseload perhaps illustrates the varied and unexpected nature of an experienced criminal law specialist.
Chesterfield criminal defence solicitor Denney Lau
Day 1
On day 1 Denney represented three clients before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court. All three had the benefit of criminal legal aid.
The first client denied possession of bladed article. The case was suitable for summary trial and a trial has been listed at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court. A second client faced an allegation of theft. It was inappropriate to make progress so Denney successfully argued for an adjournment.
The final client of the day faced allegation of attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article. This was a case that could only be dealt with at the Crown Court, so the case was sent there. His client remained on bail.
Day 2
Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court
Day two say Denney again at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court. He dealt with two clients under the legal aid scheme. One defendant pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order and was fined. A second was in breach of a community order and received a similar financial penalty.
Denney also represented a client under the Chesterfield court duty solicitor scheme. He face a charge of harassment. A not guilty plea was entered so the case adjourned for trial. Denney is awaiting further instructions
Day 3
Once again Denney was representing a client before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court. This time his client was facing allegations of burglary and possession of a bladed article. The allegations were denied and therefore were allocated to Derby Crown Court for trial. His client remained on bail. Representation was given under criminal legal aid
Day 4
Denney represented a client in custody under the legal aid scheme. He was in breach of both a restraining order and his previous community order. He had, unfortunately, run out of chances so received a fourteen week sentence.
Separately Denney dealt with a client as duty solicitor. This client had unpaid fines dating back to 2010 so was at risk of being sent to prison for default. Instead, Denney secured him a further opportunity to pay under a suspended committal order.
Day 5
Avoiding court in the morning, Denney instead provided advice and assistance under a fixed fee arrangement to a suspect being interviewed by the Department of Works and Pensions on suspicion of benefit fraud. No decision was made as to whether to prosecute.
In the afternoon, Denney was representing a client before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court who was denying a serious sexual offence. The case was allocated to Sheffield Crown Court. His client had the benefit of both legal aid and bail.
Day 6
An application to adjourn a dishonesty offence was made and granted before the Magistrates. A legal aid application was submitted.
A new client was seen in the office facing an allegation of excess alcohol. Legal representation at the future court date was possible because of an affordable fixed fee.
That evening Denney undertook his first period on call and dealt with three cases during the night at Chesterfield police station. Two clients facing investigation for a serious sexual offence and possession of drugs with intent to supply were released under investigations so that the police could conclude their enquiries.
A third client was charged to Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court following admissions to an assault on paramedics.
Chesterfield police station
Day 7
The day started with a meeting at the Derbyshire Law Centre in Chesterfield. Chesterfield crime solicitor Ben Strelley also attended. It was an important opportunity to discuss the legal services offered by both us and the Law Centre to ensure that our clients have the opportunity to access legal advice for all of their problems.
Thereafter, Denney has another busy day at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court. He dealt with a defendant as court duty solicitor who pleaded guilty to having a dog that was dangerously out of control. A basis of plea was put forward that was not accepted by the prosecution so a trial of issue of Newton hearing was listed. Denney awaits further instructions.
He concluded a case by way of a conditional discharge for a client in possession of the controlled substance, Mamba.
A second client had committed a new offence of criminal damage while subject to a suspended sentence. Despite that the order was allowed to continue and he was given unpaid work for the new offence.
Finally, Denney made representations on behalf of a client that persuaded the probation service to withdraw proceedings for breach of a suspended sentence order.
Contact Chesterfield criminal defence solicitor Denney Lau
Chesterfield criminal defence solicitor Denney Lau
Although you can see that Denney is busy, he is never too busy to take your call and represent you in police interview or at court.
We know that Denney’s clients will expect him to see their cases through to the end. As a result, he will aim to provide continuity of representation all the way through to your Crown Court trial.
Chesterfield criminal defence solicitor Denney Lau can be contacted on 01246 283000 or you can use the contact form below.
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Category Archives: News
In recent months the penalties for speeding in a motor vehicle have increased dramatically since April 2017. This includes a reduction in the threshold at which a defendant faces a driving disqualification. You can read more about this here.
As a result the risk of being disqualified following a speeding conviction is much higher than previously. Chesterfield motoring law solicitor David Gittins was recently instructed by a client who faced disqualification for speeding.
In this case, although there was no mitigation to be put forward to prevent a driving disqualification, David was able to advance powerful mitigation to secure a very short disqualification, The ban would have little impact on our client’s ability to continue with his employment.
The Allegation
David’s client, who was only nineteen years old, had been seen by police driving his car at twice the legal limit. Unfortunately he was driving at more than twice the legal limit.
On being pulled over by the police he gave his details and then had to await the inevitable speeding summons and court date.
Client appearance at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court
David had been instructed to represent our client prior to the court date. Although entering a guilty plea will be easy for an unrepresented defendant facing a speeding charge, choosing what extra information will favourably influence the outcome of their case.
This may conclude telling the Magistrates’ what happened and why. A defendant’s demeanour or lack of appreciation of the gravity of his case might mean that they approach the case in a manner guaranteed to aggravate the situation.
The starting point for Magistrates will always be that speeding can have very serious consequences and they will be looking to see an appropriate level of regret and remorse. More can be read about that here.
With this in mind David took instructions to see what personal mitigation would be available to his client. As he worked in the motor trade he needed a driving licence. His job would remain open to him if there could be a successful argument for a short disqualification. He lived in a rural area with an almost non-existent public transport system.
Successful mitigation of driving disqualification
David had already considered the sentencing guidelines so directed his mitigation at the relevant aspects of the guideline. By focussing on the positive elements of his client’s character, including his employment, David was able to secure a favourable sentencing outcome.
Our client was eventually fined and disqualified from driving. The disqualification was only for 21 days however. This was at the very lower end of the sentencing range. David’s client was particularly happy as he was due to go on a foreign holiday for fourteen days of the disqualification when he wouldn’t be driving in any event. This meant that he would only have to miss one week of work.
His job was secured and our client was extremely satisfied with the result. He appreciated that had be represented himself it was likely that his approach was likely to be less focussed and it may well have been that he didn’t secure the same outcome.
Since this case, David has already referred a further referral from his client who has instructed him in a similar matter.
Affordable fixed fees
Legal aid is not normally available for cases of this nature. As a result our client instructed us on a private basis. For most motoring offences fixed fees can be agreed and this was the case here.
Instruct a Chesterfield Road Traffic solicitor
Chesterfield road traffic and crime solicitor David Gittins
If you wish to instruct David for any road traffic or criminal matter please contact him at our Chesterfield office on 01246 283000 or alternatively use the contact form below. While we can make no promises about the outcome of any case, we are best placed to argue against a driving disqualification or to reduce the length of a driving ban.
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Category Archives: News
For many people the thought of being interviewed by a police officer will never cross their mind. Their law abiding lives mean that they will only rarely have any interaction with the Police. On occasions, however, allegations can be made which mean the police will have no alternative but to hold an interview under caution.
The importance of an interview under caution
Such an interview under caution may happen after arrest. More often in recent times there may be what is called a voluntary interview. The importance of either type of interview should not be underestimated. The answers given in an interview under caution will carry the same weight in any court proceedings. Any responses will also help decide whether a prosecution should be brought in the first place. As a result, what is said in interview can have life changing effects as a case progresses.
Our expert criminal defence lawyers across all of our offices give daily advice to suspects interviewed by the police. People choose not to have a solicitor in police interview for any number of reasons. They may think that they have nothing to hide, or that there is no evidence that they are responsible for any wrong doing.
Free and independent legal advice
Whatever your personal views on the case we would recommend that you always contact one of our solicitors or accredited police station representatives as soon as you know the police want to speak to you. This might be in advance or as you are booked in at the police station.
This advice will always be free of charge to you as we have a contract permitting us to give advice and representation under the legal aid scheme. The service remains free whether when our office is open or out of hours.
Our advice is always independent of the police and we may help you identify all of the relevant legal issues that will inform your decision whether or not to answer the police questions.
A police interview years after the event
Chesterfield Police Station Representative Rob Lowe
Recently Chesterfield police station representative Rob Lowe was asked to represent a female suspect. She had been interviewed in 2013 about allegations of child neglect when she was a foster carer. The case was closed with no action but the complainant wished to resurrect the complaint. The police chose to put additional evidence to our client four years after the original police interview.
As Rob had attended with his client for interview he was able to receive full details from the police bout the new evidence that they had. Without the benefit of a legal adviser in interview the police are unlikely to give you a similar level of information before the interview.
It became clear that although the police wished to ask some questions about some new, but minor, issues that had arisen they also wanted to ask some of the same questions that they had asked four years earlier.
As his client had chosen to have legal advice, she had the opportunity of speaking with Rob in private before the interview took place. He had the opportunity of providing her with detailed advice about her options.
Bearing in mind she had already answered the majority of the questions, Rob was reluctant for the police to have a further opportunity to seek answers that may be inconsistent bearing in mind the passage of time. Any differences in her account could weigh against her in any charging decision even though they would be perfectly understandable.
Submitting a prepared statement
Rob was, however, keen for his client to address the fresh issues that had arisen. As a result, he drafted a statement that set out his client’s position in relation to these matters. This statement was read out at the start of the interview. After that, his client exercised her legal right to silence and refused to answer further questions put.
You will appreciate that a person without the benefit of legal representation may be unlikely to adopt such a course of action. They are less likely to be confident in refusing to answer the questions the police put in interview.
Our client was refused charge
Following interview the case was subject to a further review and our client was told that no further action was to be taken. She had been refused charge. No doubt this was in part due to the comprehensive denials that she had put forward four years ago, but also in part to the position that she adopted in relation to the later interview.
Contact a legal aid specialist in police station representation.
Rob can be contacted at our Chesterfield office on 01246 283000. This number will be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
VHS Fletchers crime and regulatory solicitors offices
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VHS Fletchers Solicitors have six offices across the East Midlands, staffed with specialists in the field of Criminal Defence work. Whilst it will come as no surprise that these locations are situated close to local Police Stations and Courts, the team at VHS Fletchers will happily travel much further to give nationwide criminal advice and representation to our client’s accused of criminal acts.
VHS Fletchers offices across the East Midlands
Within the last few months staff from our Chesterfield office have had many early mornings and late nights travelling the length and breadth of the country to provide our clients with the expert legal advice that they have come to expect.
We travel to give nationwide criminal advice and representation
Those places recently visited by the staff from our Chesterfield office include:
Grimsby Police Station
Harrogate Police Station
South Sefton (Liverpool) Magistrates’ Court
Newport Magistrates’ Court
South Shields Magistrates’ Court
Grimsby Magistrates’ Court
Leeds Magistrates’ Court
Norwich Magistrates’ Court
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court
All of our Clients involved in these cases had links to the Chesterfield area. They firstly wanted a solicitor local to them rather than to the police station or court they had to attend. They also didn’t want a solicitor or other representative that they did not know or trust.
As such they asked whether a member of our Chesterfield criminal defence team would be prepared to travel and provide them with expert legal advice about their cases. We were only to happy to do so. These clients faced a range of offences including assault, escaping from lawful custody, possession of offensive weapons or road traffic offences.
As we have a contract with the government to provide criminal legal aid advice and representation then our advice in the police station will always be free of charge to you.
Many of our clients will be entitled to legal aid in the Magistrates’ Court. Nearly all will be eligible for Crown Court legal aid.
Instruct a firm to go that extra mile
You may choose your solicitor by reputation. You might want to choose a solicitor with an office near to where you live, no matter where your case will be heard.
If you require the assistance of a firm of expert criminal defence solicitors who are more than happy to travel to provide you with nationwide criminal advice and representation, then look no further than VHS Fletchers.
We will go that extra mile (or if need be the hundreds of extra miles) needed to ensure that you get the best outcome possible. Please contact our Chesterfield Office day or night, 365 days a year on 01246 283000. Alternatively you can use the form below.
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Crown court litigator Sarah Lees-Collier
Senior crown court litigator Sarah Lees-Collier recently represented a client appearing for Crown Court trial at Leicester Crown Court. He faced an extremely serious charge of wounding with intent, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Negotiation resolved the case to our client’s satisfaction.
Section 18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
The allegation was made more serious by a number of factors. Our client had not acted alone but with another to assault the victim. Although fists were used to begin with, the victim was then assaulted with a knife. Finally, the offence took place in a student halls of residence, so the victim had been assaulted in their own home.
Some of the incident had been captured on CCTV.
The complainant received two black eyes, a cut above his eye that required stitches, a broken nose and fractured cheek bone.
Sarah’s client was of good character with no convictions or even cautions recorded against him. He was a student himself.
Sentencing Guidelines
Following conviction after trial the sentencing guidelines would have suggested that a starting point of six years in prison, within a range of five to nine years. Arguably this could have been categorised as a ‘sustained assault’ which would have made the sentence even longer.
An alternate plea to a lesser charge
On the day of trial our client was represented by barrister Nick Bechey from Great James Street chambers. We received instructions to offer a plea to the lesser charge under section 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861. This offer of plea was accepted by the prosecution.
As a result, the judge had a greater flexibility on sentence and instead of a lengthy prison sentence our client received a suspended sentence with community elements. He was very pleased and relieved with the outcome.
The cannabis had been found by police at his home address and was a relatively large amount – 8 ounces or 230 grams in what the police said were single ounce deals. The police also found large plastic containers that had traces of cannabis inside along with £2000 cash. The electricity meter at the address had been bypassed.
Our client also owned a second address. When this was searched by the police approximately 200 cannabis plants were found growing at the address. The meter had been bypassed. The police said that the manner of the bypass was the same as at the other address. Two others were arrested at this address.
Finally, when our client’s phone was examined by the police there were a large number of photographs of cannabis plants being grown.
Our client’s defence at Crown Court Trial
Our client accepted possession of the cannabis and the abstraction of electricity at his home address. He denied responsibility for any of the other offences and maintained the following:
the cannabis seized from his home address was his and was for personal use
he used about four to six ounces of cannabis per week as self-medication for pain relief
it was boiled it in a bain-marie and drank it with milk
this had been given to the police when they came to his home, along with the plastic tubs which he had used to store the cannabis in
the £2,000 cash was legitimate cash from his businesses from which he earned at least £200 000 per year.
he denied knowing that cannabis was being grown at his second address
he denied knowledge of the photos on his phone
In order to prepare the case for trial, Sarah instructed expert witnesses Emmersons Associates to inspect the electricity meters to look for similarities. The police has mislaid one of the meters so the impact of any examination was limited.
Medical evidence was obtained outlining the various ailments that our client suffered from and which cannabis was said to alleviate.
Pleas accepted and conditional discharge followed
Once the case was fully prepared and the helpful evidence served on the prosecution, we reminded the prosecution that our client was offering pleas to simple possession of cannabis and abstracting electricity. This time the pleas were accepted.
Our client was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge for both offences.
Confiscation proceedings avoided
The fact that we put the prosecution in a position where the offered pleas were accepted meant that our client avoided an almost inevitable prison sentence and confiscation proceedings. Had be been convicted of any of the other offences then the prosecution would have examined his finances for the 6 years prior to the offence in order to try and confiscate assets that could not easily be explained.
Negotiation secured a favourable basis of plea and sentence.
Crown court trial for serious drug offences
Our client faced trial with four others for drug offences. She was charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis. A large amount of cannabis had been found in three houses and the boot of a car. All defendants were connected by a family relationship.
Specifically, our client was said to have helped with the growing of the cannabis as well as the onward supply. Although our client accepted growing cannabis she maintained that this was for her own use. It was medicinal as she suffered from severe arthritis. Sarah obtained a medical report from her doctor to back up this assertion.
Unfortunately, the prosecution was not prepared to accept what she had said. They maintained that she had a key role in what was a substantial conspiracy. The case was listed for a ten day trial for all defendants including our client.
On the morning of trial there was movement on behalf of both our client and the prosecution. She was prepared to accept involvement on the basis that her house had been used to grow the cannabis. her route into cannabis use and this offending remained the same – her illness.
As a result of these negotiations the court was able to sentence our client far more leniently that would otherwise have been the case. Despite her late plea, William persuaded the judge to impose a sentence of only four months but suspend it. As a result, as long as our client complies with the community element of the order and does not commit further offences then she will not have to serve the sentence.
Basis of plea and sentencing guidelines
Crown court litigator Sarah Lees-Collier
The basis upon which our clients are sentenced will always be very important. This is particularly true in cases involving drug supply as the sentencing guidelines can be particularly unforgiving.
For example, whether you have a significant or leading role in a relatively small scale operation supplying cannabis can make a difference of three years to the starting point for sentence.
In this particular case, because of the guidelines, the starting point for the judge in considering sentence would have been twelve months. Bearing in mind the lateness of the plea, William was able to persuade the judge to reduce the sentence dramatically to the sentence finally imposed.
Alternatively, you can contact us using the form below.
Category Archives: News
Nottingham criminal defence solicitor Nick Walsh
Nottingham criminal defence solicitor Nick Walsh recently represented at a Nottingham youth court trial. The identification evidence was disputed and Nick made an application to exclude evidence from a police officer.
Nick’s client was fourteen year old charged with theft of a motorbike from a domestic garage. A police officer purported to identify Nick’s client from The evidence was that he had been identified from CCTV footage by a police officer who our client very well.
Identification evidence from CCTV footage
An identification in such circumstances is governed by the Codes of Practice set out under Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. As a result, following the not guilty plea being entered, Nick wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service asking that they disclose the contemporaneous notes of the CCTV viewing and the additional records required by Code D of the Codes of Practice.
The prosecution did not supply any of the documentation that had been requested. The officer did, however, give a further statement dealing with the circumstances of the identification.
Expert cross examination of a police witness
At trial Nick had the opportunity of asking the officer questions about the circumstances of the identification. His careful cross examination led the officer to concede that he had not kept any records or notes of his viewing of the CCTV. Additionally he could not be sure how many times he had viewed the footage. More damagingly he confirmed that he had been given that task of viewing the CCTV by his sergeant and had been told that Nick’s client was already suspected of the crime.
The officer stated that he had based his identification on the way the suspect walked. Having been made to view the footage again in court he had to accept that there was nothing distinguishing about the walk.
He also accepted that he had made his mind up that it was Nick’s client before he got a look at the offenders face. Finally, he had to accept that the quality of the CCTV footage was poor.
Application to exclude evidence obtained unfairly
At the close of the prosecution case Nick applied to the Youth Court Magistrates’ to exclude the identification evidence. This application was made under section 78 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. This is on the basis of the breaches of the Codes of Practice. In this case, where the identification evidence was the only evidence in the case, it would be unfair to admit it.
The Magistrates agreed and the evidence was excluded. As a result, the prosecution had no option but to offer no further evidence and Nick’s client was found not guilty.
Client had the benefit of free criminal legal aid
Owing to our client’s age Nick’s representation of him was free of charge to both him and his parents under the criminal legal aid scheme
Contact an expert criminal defence lawyer
This case illustrates the importance of knowing the law that governs identification evidence. It also shows that you need a criminal solicitor on your side who can make sure that a police office is made to answer the difficult questions. This might open the door to an application to exclude evidence.
In matters being investigated by the police or before the criminal courts it is sometimes the case that a simple act of contrition, genuinely felt and communicated, can alter a case outcome significantly.
For example, a timely admission and expression of sorrow can make the difference between a formal resolution, such as caution or charge or persuade the police to consider an out of court community resolution.
Credit for your guilty plea will attract the automatic discount on sentence, but it is a demonstration of genuine regret and remorse that may make all the difference.
Remorse might open the door to restorative justice
Restorative justice is now a popular out of court disposal. Such a resolution is preferable to almost all other outcomes when guilt is not in doubt. Research shows that the process can benefit both the victim and the offender.
Other out of court disposals such as driver awareness courses can also have an impact on an offender. This will particularly be the case where a defendant is willing to address their behaviour. Few participants will leave the course undisturbed by the graphic images of a child hit by a speeding vehicle.
In court, it can sway a bench in some cases to impose a more lenient punishment, so because of this we always work with clients to ensure mitigation is advanced adequately at all stages.
Of course, sorry in itself might not mean much, what are you sorry for? Is it for being caught? Or is it because you find yourself before a court? Could it be more than that and therefore does it amount to genuine remorse?
Genuine remorse and sentencing guidelines
This is an important question in sentencing terms because ‘genuine remorse’ is a mitigating factor in almost all sentencing guidelines and can make a substantial difference to the outcome.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines remorse as being:
‘A feeling of compunction, or of deep regret and repentance for a sin or wrong committed.’
A court will, however, be looking only for genuine remorse, and it is far from being a scientific exercise.
What does the Sentencing Council have to say?
The Sentencing Council commented on this as follows:
“This factor appears in all Sentencing Council guidelines and is one that sentencers are adept at assessing. Sentencers sitting in court on a daily basis are alive to the ease with which ‘sorry’ can be said but not meant. Evidence obtained during the course of interviews with judges (during the consultation process) confirmed the way in which judges carry out this assessment; often the judges used phrases in conversation with us such as ‘genuinely remorseful’, ‘genuine remorse’ and ‘true remorse’. This confirms the Council’s view that the consideration of remorse is nuanced, and that all the circumstances of the case will be considered by the sentencing in deciding whether any expressed remorse is in fact genuine.”
Not just credit for your guilty plea
In a recent lecture, a High Court Judge offered up these examples to illustrate genuine remorse:
• Deliberate withdrawal from an on-going criminal enterprise.
• Removing oneself from criminal associates or the sources of temptation.
• Behaviour immediately after the offence such as obtaining medical aid.
• Voluntary surrender and confession to the police.
• Efforts to reform by way of, e.g. drug-rehabilitation or alcohol withdrawal programmes.
• Return to education.
• Assistance to the authorities in combating crime.
• Voluntary restitution, payment of compensation without order from the court or restoring damaged property.
Less objective examples (but commonly seen) include:
• Expressions of remorse in police interviews after arrest.
• The impression of genuine remorse given to a probation officer, psychiatrist or psychologist when being interviewed for the purpose of preparing a report for the court before sentencing.
• Letters of apology written by offenders to victims or the court
How can we assist? Contact a criminal defence lawyer now.
It is our job when representing clients to ensure that the best case is put forward. You will want this to go beyond the usual mitigation offered by the credit for your guilty plea. This should involve other aspects of your character that might shine a light on your true self.
People make mistakes, sometimes serious ones, but rarely does that alone define the real person. We believe that carefully presented mitigation makes a real difference to the outcome of criminal cases.
We are experienced in approaching family, friends, employers and other community figures for reference letters on your behalf. The information that we request will make sure we build on the credit for your guilty plea because of this experience.
The police gun amnesty is aimed at two distinct groups of people. The first contains those who know they are in possession of illegal weapons or ammunition. The second group are those who are perhaps innocent custodians of a weapon and are maybe even unsure as to its legal status. Members of this group might be too frightened to do anything about it.
As this is an amnesty you will not be prosecuted for possessing the weapon or ammunition at the point it is handed over to the police.
