Crossbows, rifles and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition were among the weapons surrendered to police during a gun amnesty.

Hertfordshire Constabulary gave residents two weeks to hand over firearms without the threat of prosecution, with 223 surrendered.

This included 46 shotguns, 18 handguns, three crossbows, a deactivated weapon and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

There were 25 weapons handed in to police in Watford and Three Rivers, five in Hertsmere, ten in St Albans and 23 in the Dacorum area.

Chief Superintendent Jane Swinburne said: "We never expected to get such a response and I’m pleased to say the majority of firearms have been surrendered by citizens who have given their full details.

"With the help of the public we have managed to take more than 200 guns out of public circulation and have reduced the chances of these firearms falling into the hands of criminals. 

"Gun crime accounts for less than one percent of crime in the county, and following this amnesty I am hoping that we make our streets even safer.

"The police have worked hard to ensure this operation ran smoothly and this has been borne out by the number of people who have contacted us to make sure they were not breaking the law, either by handing in weapons or getting advice from our firearms officers."

Changes to laws, which came into force in July, could mean some gun owners may unknowingly be in possession of an illegal weapon - sparking the amnesty, which closed on Friday.

Anyone who is still concerned about the firearms in their possession is urged to speak to police on the 101 non-emergency enquiry line.