Londoners urged to hand in firearms as gun crime rises 28% in Barnet and Camden
The Metropolitan Police has launched a #giveupyourgun campaign as part of a week long firearm surrender. The campaign will give people in Barnet and Camden the opportunity to safely dispose of firearms, imitation weapons or ammunition. The most recent figures show gun crime in Barnet and Camden is up by 28%. Local London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore described the opportunity as playing a ‘vital’ role in the fight against gun crime.
Figures obtained from the Metropolitan Police show there were 137 gun crimes committed in Barnet and Camden in 2016, up from 107 in 2015. Across London, there were 420 more gun crimes in the last year – an increase of 22%.
The campaign, which is part of the Met’s ongoing work to reduce gun crime and remove illegal weapons from the streets of London, began on Monday, 6 February and runs until 2300hrs on Sunday, 12 February. Firearms and ammunition can be taken to either Barnet or Kentish Town Police Stations, which are open 24 hours a day.
Local Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore AM said:
“It is extremely worrying to see gun crime going up in Barnet and Camden and across the capital. Every single incident brings misery to the individuals involved, and to their friends and families.
“I would urge anyone reading this who is in possession of a firearm – or knows someone who is – to hand it in at Barnet or Kentish Town Police Stations and you’ll help to make our community safer.
“Gun crime is a serious problem in our city, and schemes like this are vital to tackling it.”
