A new police taskforce has been established to target illegal firearms in the Launceston area.

Commander Stuart Wilkinson said that the taskforce involved members of Launceston CIB specifically concentrating on firearm crime.

“The new taskforce will be investigating intelligence relating to firearms and seeking to take as many illegal firearms off our streets as possible,” Commander Wilkinson said.

“Any illicit firearm is a concern to Tasmania Police. Firearms in the wrong hands are dangerous and are of utmost concern to police.

“While it’s normal that crime trends fluctuate from time to time, over the past month, there has been a concerning number of incidents involving firearms.

“Although no one has been seriously injured, and the vast majority of the incidents involve people who are known to both police and one another, we are taking this extremely  seriously.

“We also take every opportunity to take illegal firearms off our streets by having a permanent firearms amnesty, carrying out random firearms storage inspections and investigating diligently when firearms incidents or thefts occur.

“Additional mobile firearms amnesties across both northern and western districts are planned for the coming weeks, where people can hand in their unregistered firearms without fear of being prosecuted.

Commander Wilkinson said that people with information about illegal firearms should contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

“We know that there are people out there in the community who know people in possession of illegal firearms. Please come forward provide information so we can take these illegal firearms off the street permanently.

“Anyone with information about stolen firearms or illegal firearms activity is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.”