MORE than 100 guns have been handed in as part of a Hampshire-wide surrender.

During the amnesty, held over 12 days, Hampshire Constabulary received 126 weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

It was part of a national crackdown to stop guns falling into the wrong hands.

Chief constable Andy Marsh said: “We’ve run the surrender as part of a co-ordinated national surrender of firearms and it’s something most police forces do periodically.

“I’m surprised that we have recovered quite so many in such a short period of time and that certainly underlines the value of this.

“Crime is rare and low in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight compared to national rates and gun crime is incredibly low.

“This is 126 weapons that will now not find their way into the hands of people who might cause harm with them to themselves or others and I’m very pleased about that and grateful to the people who surrendered them."

Among the weapons which were handed in were 22 air weapons, two machine guns, 17 pistols, 42 shotguns and three flare pistols.

The surrender is finished but if you find a gun or are uncertain about the lawful possession of a gun, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.