Weapons amnesty sees 150 firearms handed in

More than 150 firearms have been handed in to Isle of Man police during a three-week weapon surrender.

Between 14 January and 2 February, police also received 84 bladed articles and over 500 rounds of ammunition as part of a 2026 weapons and firearms amnesty.

The initiative provides the opportunity for members of the public to safely surrender weapons or firearms that are unlicensed, illegal, or no longer wanted, without fear of prosecution for possessing them.

A similar operation in 2023 saw 112 firearms and 73 bladed articles handed in.

The results show a 25% increase in firearms surrendered and 13% rise in bladed articles surrendered since 2023.

Insp Elliot Butler said the island remained the "third safest place to live in the world, but is not immune from serious and organised crime incidents involving weapons."

The amnesty, along with making authorised firearms officers "more visible and readily available" were two of the "many efforts" to tackle the risk of serious and organised crime involving weapons, he added.

The amnesty coincides with the deadline for renewal of part one firearms certificates on 1 April.

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