THE ACT Government is offering rewards of up to $5000 for information that helps keep illegal guns out of the hands of Canberra’s criminals.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Simon Corbell launched the new campaign today and offered the rewards for information that leads to the seizure of an illicit firearm or a successful prosecution for a gun crime.

The campaign follows a 34.3 per cent drop in the number of reported offences where a firearm has been used over the past five financial years, according to Mr Corbell, who described as Canberra as “one of the safest cities in the country in relation to gun crime”.

In 2012 there were 46 reported offences in the ACT where a firearm was used, compared to 70 in 2008.

“While the number of offences where guns are used to commit crimes has fallen in the ACT, we are aware of the issues experienced in other jurisdictions in relation to illegal gun activity, and this campaign is an opportunity to begin to address this concern in the ACT,” Mr Corbell said.

“The ACT also has some of the toughest penalties in Australia for firearm offences. Despite this, recent incidents in Gungahlin involving guns prove the ACT is not immune to the impact of illicit firearms. When guns fall into the hands of criminals they can be used in serious crimes such as aggravated robberies, assault and aggravated burglary.”