Sutton police take in biggest haul of guns in London-wide amnesty

The weapon surrender took 27 guns off Sutton’s streets, as well as five air guns, and five fake firearms.

The borough's in-take of fake guns was the second highest in London, with the Met collecting in 58 across all 32 boroughs. 

Sutton had the fifth highest figure for the number of air guns handed in.

The Met’s amnesty ran from November 10 to November 23.

Sutton’s Acting Chief Inspector Andy Brittain said: "We had an incredible response to the gun surrender, and I want to thank residents for their enthusiasm in getting behind this campaign and supporting us.

"Taking these firearms off the streets prevents them from falling into the hands of criminals and helps us to reduce crime even further."

Antique and ‘granddad’ guns were also given in to Sutton police, with counter terrorism officers called in after a Word War Two mortar shell was brought into the station.

Officers closed nearby Carshalton Road and told workers to stay indoors fearing the bomb would explode.

The spent shell had been tucked away in 80-year-old Roy Walker’s shed, having previously sat on his mantlepiece for 10 years.

Speaking shortly after the chaos, he said:  "I've never seen so many police officers run so fast.

"I took it into the reception and they abandoned the station straight away.

"They didn't know it wasn't armed.

"I just put it on the counter, it was in a plastic bag.

"I couldn't just walk through Sutton carrying it."

The shell had belonged to Mr Walker's father Ernest, who brought it back from World War Two.

An officer with the mortar shell

People handed in 222 live firearms, 77 air guns, and 58 fake guns across the whole of London in the November amnesty.

The Met also took in more than 12,400 rounds of ammunition.