A staggering 870 firearms and weapons and 23,500 rounds of ammunition were handed in throughout the Dyfed Powys Police area during the recent month-long firearms amnesty.

In Pembrokeshire alone, a total of 42 prohibited weapons and a total of 6,660 rounds of ammunition were handed in to police stations.

Among the prohibited firearms surrendered were 18 handguns, six pump action and self-loading rifles, nine shotguns, plus nine other firearms.

In addition, 129 non-prohibited weapons were surrendered, which included three rifles, 62 shotguns, 25 air rifles, 21 air pistols and eight imitations, together with 10 other weapons.

"The police are grateful to the media whose help in publicising the campaign helped rid society of this large number of weapons and ammunition," said Mr. Ian Miles, head of the firearms licensing department at Dyfed Powys Police headquarters.

"Six hundred weapons were handed in during the last week of the amnesty when it appears that people realised the consequences of not doing so," he continued.

"Police stations in the force area were very busy in receiving guns up to the last moments of the amnesty and Dyfed Powys Police are very pleased, yet surprised with their results. The campaign's message of 'get guns off our streets' was certainly heeded."