POLICE are offering immunity from prosecution to rid West Yorkshire's streets of lethal weapons.

Guns were fired in seven criminal incidents in the Bradford district last year, compared to three times in 2014, while knife crime in the county was up by more than 15 per cent year-on-year.

Announcing a West Yorkshire Police weapons surrender today, Assistant Chief Constable Angela Williams, said the figures were concerning.

And defending the decision not to prosecute those who hand in illegally possessed weapons during the ten-day amnesty, which starts tomorrow, ACC Williams said it was more important to prevent guns, ammunition and knives getting into criminal hands.

She said: "I am mindful that firearms discharges in West Yorkshire have risen from 18 to 25 in the last 12 months and possession of weapon offences has risen by about a quarter. Some of it is due to our recording of figures becoming more accurate.

"Thankfully, murders and serious assaults have not increased, if anything they have decreased.

"The increase in the possession of firearms is a concern. It's really important to raise awareness about the dangers of someone carrying a weapon and it getting into the wrong hands.

"We are saying we don't want these weapons getting into the wrong hands. If people bring them to the police stations, which they can do anonymously, they won't be prosecuted for possession. It's more important to get the weapons off the streets."

A similar West Yorkshire Police initiative, in November 2014, saw more than 150 weapons handed in at police stations across the county. They included firearms, knives and knuckle dusters.

ACC Williams said: "We had a good response to the previous campaign. The safe removal of these items from the streets ensures they cannot be used for criminal activity or, worse still, to hurt or kill someone.

"We would urge members of the public to hand in any weapons at their local police station. Failure to do so would be a serious matter and could lead to some very serious charges."

ACC Williams praised stab victim Vincent Uzomah, who joined forces with the police to launch the amnesty.

Mr Uzomah, a 51-year-old supply teacher, almost died when he was stabbed in the stomach by a 14-year-old pupil who had brought a knife into Dixons Kings Academy at Lidget Green last June.

He said yesterday: "Weapons are not toys, so please do not carry one. I nearly lost my life at the hand of a knife-carrying student in school, and my family was devastated. Our society is safer when you don't carry one. Please hand in any weapon in your possession today."

ACC Williams said: "It brings to life what we are talking about to have someone here who has been a victim of such a shocking and horrendous attack. It brings a real personal feel to our campaign."

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said he applauded Mr Uzomah for coming forward after his traumatic ordeal.

Weapons can be handed in at Trafalgar House police station, in Nelson Street, Bradford, and Airedale House station, in Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley, between 8am and midnight, seven days a week, until January 30.