GUNS including pistols, shotguns and even a musket have been crushed by police to help rid Gloucestershire of illegal weapons.

A total of 38 weapons were handed in to police during the week-long amnesty, titled Operation Magpie, adding to an average of 300 each year that are handed in or found.

One weapon was handed in with a note attached explaining its story.

The note read: “During the First World War 1914/1918 my father (your grandfather) served in the Royal Army Medical Corps attached to The King’s Royal Rifle Corps in France, Egypt and Palestine (now Israel).

“This fearsome weapon was probably picked up during his time in Palestine where British Forces were opposed to the Turkish army i.e. Germany’s allies.”

In rare cases where the guns handed to police hold some historical value local museums are contacted to take and decommission the guns for use as exhibits and this revolver, made in 1913 is such a case.

Operation Magpie was designed to get as many guns off the streets of Gloucestershire as possible and to keep them out of the hands of criminals.

Although the owners were being allowed to hand in illegal firearms they posses without penalty Chief Inspector Charlie Laporte confirmed that prosecutions would be made if the gun was used illegally before being handed in.

He added: “Just because it’s an imitation it does not mean it would not be confused as a real gun by the public or the police.”

The guns were put into a police crusher, a machine with a powerful blade which destroys the guns completely and ensures they cannot be refitted with new parts to bring them back into use by criminals.

Gloucestershire Constabulary thanked all involved with the amnesty and the members of the public who handed in their weapons throughout the week.