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Four-week firearms amnesty launched for illegal blank firers

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Police have launched a four-week firearms amnesty for Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firers after testing revealed they could be easily converted into lethal weapons.

Why it matters: Suffolk residents have until 28 February to hand in specific Turkish-made blank-firing guns or face up to 10 years in prison.

The big picture: Tests by the National Crime Agency show four Turkish manufacturers' blank-firing guns can be readily converted into lethal weapons, making them illegal under the Firearms Act 1968.

Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firer
Suffolk Police have launched a four-week firearms amnesty for Turkish-manufactured top-venting blank firers after testing revealed they can be easily converted into lethal weaponsNational Crime Agency

By the numbers:

  • More than 800 of these guns have been recovered in criminal circumstances since 2021

  • Converted blank firers were used in at least four UK homicides in the last two years

  • One investigation recovered more than 400 converted weapons from a single crime group

What they're saying: "Gun crime in Suffolk remains very rare but we are not complacent about it," said Darrell Skuse, Firearms & Licensing Manager for Norfolk & Suffolk Constabularies.

The details: The amnesty applies to top-venting blank firers manufactured by:

  • Retay

  • Ekol

  • Ceonic

  • Blow

What to know: Residents can surrender weapons at three Public Enquiry Offices across Suffolk:

  • Ipswich Police Station, Princes Street

  • Lowestoft Police Station, Old Nelson Street

  • Bury St Edmunds Police Station, Raingate Street

All offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday.

For context: Top-venting blank firers were previously legal for over-18s to buy without a licence. They have blocked barrels and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, with gases venting from the top of the weapon.

What's next: After 28 February, anyone found in possession of these weapons could face prosecution and up to 10 years' imprisonment.

The bottom line: Police advise calling 101 before transporting any weapons to receive guidance on safe transportation.

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Suffolk to roll out 6,000 EV chargepoints from Summer 2025

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Suffolk County Council has partnered with operator Believ to deliver around 6,000 new public electric vehicle chargepoints across the county, starting next summer.

Why it matters: 25% of Suffolk households don't have a driveway and park on their street, creating a significant barrier for residents considering electric vehicle ownership.

The big picture: The rollout aims to provide residents without driveways access to a public chargepoint within a 5-10 minute walk.

Matthew Ling and Amy Rushton of Suffolk County Council, Charlie Allen and Steve Beer of Believ
Matthew Ling and Amy Rushton of Suffolk County Council, Charlie Allen and Steve Beer of BelievBeliev

By the numbers:

  • £5.3 million secured from the government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund

  • An additional £16 million provided by operator Believ

  • Nearly 140,000 tons of emissions forecast to be removed by late 2026

The details: The majority of new units will be bollard-style chargers at the kerbside, suitable for long-stay or overnight charging. Drivers will benefit from an overnight off-peak tariff and a dedicated resident's tariff with discounted charging at all times.

Public car parks will also see rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoint installations for quicker charging options.

What they're saying: "We are providing a solution by installing chargepoints on their street, or very nearby. Our ambition is to provide them with a public chargepoint within a 5-10 minute walk or wheel," said Councillor Philip Fairclough-Mutton, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality.

Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, said: "We're delighted to have been awarded the opportunity to rollout such a significant number of chargepoints across Suffolk. It will make a real difference to local EV drivers and give others the confidence to go electric, helping to support our mission to deliver cleaner air for all."

What's next: In advance of all on-street chargepoint installations, local residents will receive letters with details of the work due to take place, including information on timescales.

The bottom line: Suffolk County Council is the first local authority in England to both award their LEVI main funding tender and subsequently sign a contract with an operator, allowing installations to begin at pace to help meet the county's target of 5,400 public chargepoints by 2030.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

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