A NUMBER of guns have been taken off the streets of York and North Yorkshire under the latest police firearms amnesty.

Since April 1, when the amnesty began, a total of 15 handguns, two shotguns, 72 non-prohibited rifles and shotguns, 32 imitation firearms, and 2,519 rounds of ammunition have been handed in at police stations across the county.

North Yorkshire Police has described the response as demonstrating "the strong desire of residents to make the county a safer place".

Updated: 10:23 Saturday, April 12, 2003