British Police today launched a two-week window for people to surrender any illegal weapons and ammunition in their possession without the fear of punishment. <br/><br/>The UK's National Ballistics Intelligence Service, which is coordinating the surrender, says many firearms are held by individuals in ignorance of their illegality. <br/><br/>Under the new amnesty period, anyone handing in weapons will not automatically be charged but could face action if those weapons are later connected to a crime. <br/><br/>The amnesty is aimed at people who may accidentally come across weapons when clearing the homes of relatives and may not know what to do with them.<br/>Commander Jane Gyford, of City of London Police, said the two-week drive could help keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. <br/><br/>Figures from the UK's Office for National Statistics show that crime involving firearms in England and Wales increased by 27 per cent in the year to June 2017.