running 24 hours a day.

Previously, people could only hand in illegal weapons between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

But now the hours have been extended to encourage more people to take advantage of the amnesty.

Few firearms have been handed in so far, although one was yesterday morning.

"Our main objective is to protect lives and with fewer firearms on the street this can be achieved,'' said Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones.

"But we all have to work together on this one, to bring tranquillity back to the Island.'' Sgt. Jones pointed out Police were willing to go to people who preferred not to attend a station to hand in their weapons.

The amnesty was launched amid concern over a wave of crimes involving firearms or replica guns.

The Royal Gazette has received repeated reports of firearms coming into the Island.

In the worst of recent crimes, two teenagers were shot by a gunman at the Spinning Wheel Night Club on Court Street.

Court Street businesses later appealed for more Police protection.

And this week Mr. Frederick (Skipper) Ingham, who used to run a business on Court Street, revealed he had made a similar plea 22 years ago.

Police, however, had done nothing to respond, he claimed.

"I think they are afraid,'' said Mr. Ingham, a karate instructor.

He added he had been in touch with the Police again this week, and received assurances action would be taken to combat the problem.

Police have strongly denied treating Court Street as a "no-go' area.

Said Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones: "Police patrol the whole Island and in particular they will go to any place where there is likely to be a problem.''