AIR weapons should be surrendered as new licensing legislation comes in to effect next week.

From Monday new rules will make it illegal to possess an air weapon without a licence.

Police are urging air weapon owners to surrender unwanted air weapons from next week ahead of the new licensing legislation coming into effect.

New rules will make it illegal for anyone to possess an air weapon without a licence under the Air Weapon and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, which comes into force from December 31. Prior to this date, anyone holding an air weapon has six months to either obtain a certificate or to surrender their weapon(s) to the police.

From Monday May 23 to Sunday June 12 there will be a three week surrender campaign, during which time air weapons can be handed into police offices at Irvine, Kilmarnock and Ayr if owners do not wish to apply for a licence.

Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald, Divisional Commander for Ayrshire Division said: “Police Scotland fully supports the new legislation and the new licensing arrangements which are being introduced.

“As part of our commitment to keeping people safe in Ayrshire, we are encouraging anyone who owns an air weapon that they don’t intend to license, to take advantage of the three week surrender period from May 23 to get rid of any unwanted weapons by bringing them to one of three designated police offices in Ayrshire.

“We have specially trained staff at Irvine, Kilmarnock and Ayr Police Offices, where you can get assistance to safely surrender any air weapons you wish to dispose of. Reducing the numbers of unwanted air weapons will help to make Ayrshire safer and it is important to remember that keeping an air weapon without a licence will soon be a criminal offence.”

For information and advice on how to transport weapons safely and for police office opening hours, please visit www.scotland.police.uk/airweaponsurrender.