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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Police continue $5000 rewards for gun tip-offs

POLICE announced today that rewards of up to $5000 for information about illegal guns will continue being offered in the ACT until April 30. Police afp cops-9984

The Illicit Firearms Rewards campaign was launched on October 9 last year and has been extended due to its success.

Since the launch, 20 search warrants have resulted in the seizure of 12 working firearms, eight replica firearms and approximately 2600 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Police say the campaign has also led to the seizure of several other weapons including an electrical ‘stun gun’, knuckle dusters, nunchucks and a three-bladed throwing knife.

Other seizures have included a stolen motor vehicle, cannabis, amphetamines, steroids, laptops and stolen tools.

Seven people have been summonsed to court and three people have been arrested and charged with weapons-related offencesand the information has also added valuable information to police intelligence.

Acting Chief Police Officer David Pryce believes the campaign is having a significant effect on illicit gun crime in the ACT and helping to make the ACT a “hostile environment” for criminals, despite no claims for the reward money having been made so far.

Rewards for past tip-offs could still be paid out in future, especially after successful prosecution of offenders.

“We’ve had a tremendous response from the public so farm,” Pryce said. “It’s clear the Canberra community won’t tolerate illicit firearms endangering their safety or being used to commit serious crimes. And with the support of community information via Crime Stoppers reports, ACT Policing is doing all it can to remove illicit firearms from the hands of criminals and prevent gun-related crimes from occurring.”

The acting chief said illegal firearms were strongly linked to other types of crime including illicit drugs and violence.

“The flow-on effect from targeting these criminals is the detection and prevention of other serious criminal acts,” he said.

Anyone who has information about illicit firearms can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at act.crimestoppers.com.au Reports can be provided anonymously.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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