Weapons amnesty figures jump

THE number of firearms surrendered under the weapons amnesty has soared above 950, according to updated figures.

This represents a jump of over 150% on the last figure provided by the Department of Justice.

Just days before the amnesty ended on October 31, the department said 368 weapons had been handed in. It is understood that a last-minute rush by people to hand in weapons in the final few days sent the total sharply upward.