Shotguns, pistols, air weapons, a Kalashnikov AK47 and ammunition have been handed in during the first week of the Kent Police annual firearms surrender.

The surrender - which began on Monday, January 21 and ends this Friday - allows people to dispose of any unwanted or illegally-held guns and ammunition.

During the period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession and can remain anonymous.

Many firearms are held innocently with owners unaware of their illegality, or are overlooked heirlooms forgotten in people’s homes.

Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm communities.

Any firearm believed to be linked to criminal offences will be investigated in the usual manner.

The latest figures reveal 77 firearms have been handed in so far which includes 30 live-firing firearms made up of 25 shotguns, four revolvers and one pistol.

Officers have also been handed 20 air weapons and approximately 1,140 rounds of live ammunition.

In Canterbury a Kalashnikov AK47 gun was handed in.

DCI Patrick Holmes said: "So far we’ve had an excellent response to this surrender and I’d like to thank the public for helping to remove a number of firearms from the streets.

"Every firearm off the streets is another weapon which has been prevented from being potentially used in criminal activity. Please continue to take full advantage of this surrender and hand over any unwanted or unlicensed firearms.

"Anyone who has an unlicensed firearm in their possession, or knows where one is being kept, now has the chance to hand it over or tell us anonymously where it is being kept.

‘You will not be prosecuted for possessing the weapon and you could help save a life by preventing it from falling into the wrong hands."

During the surrender the public can hand firearms to the front counter at the following police stations: Folkestone, Margate, Canterbury, Tonbridge, Maidstone, North Kent, Medway and Sittingbourne.

People are advised to check the opening times of a station by clicking here before attending.

Individuals wishing to dispose of an unwanted firearms or ammunition who cannot attend the above stations should call 101 and collection will be arranged.