AN AMNESTY on airguns and BB guns starts next week in Gwent - and police say they are hoping it will help cut the number of firearms incidents.

BB guns, used for firing pellets, and airguns can look identical to real weapons which can provoke an armed response by police.

The number of firearm offences fell from 250 in 2004/5 to 208 in 2005/6. But of these offences 184 in 2005/6 and 227 in 2004/5 were caused by BB guns and airguns.

To cut the number of firearm offences a BB gun amnesty starts on Monday and will run until Friday.

Owners of BB guns can take them to one of nine police stations. Inspector Terry Davies of Gwent Police Community Safety department said: "BB guns can be identical in appearance to firearms and often cause unnecessary public alarm, which often requires a response from armed police officers."

He said carrying these guns in public could make bystanders afraid and alarmed. "If you have one at home, which is no longer used, we urge you to bring it to a nominated station during the amnesty," he said.

The stations are in Newport, Abergavenny, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Chepstow, Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Monmouth and will be open between 9am and 5pm.