SHOTGUNS and flick knives are among the weapons confiscated from members of the public by North Yorkshire Police, new figures have shown.

Details released under the Freedom Of Information Act found 23 crimes relating to the possession of weapons were recorded by the force in the last 12 months.

The figures showed two shotguns, five rifles, one pistol, one revolver, a BB gun and a Taser were confiscated from members of the public in the last 12 months.

Police also confiscated 15 knives - including a pen knife, three Stanley knives, a sheath knife, two lock knives, four kitchen knives and a flick knife - and a golf club from members of the public in that time.

The ages of people involved in the crimes range from just 15 years old, to 86 years old, and the crimes took place in areas including Selby town centre, York North and York West, as well as more rural areas of Selby, Richmond and Catterick.

Humberside Police said it had seen 990 reports of firearms registered on its property system in the same period, but could not confirm they had been confiscated, or whether they were real or replicas.

They also said there were 921 instances of seized knives, 726 instances of offensive weapons, and could not confirm the ages of anyone from whom items had been confiscated.

Anyone with information about the sale or possession of illegal or offensive weapons should phone North Yorkshire or Humberside Police on 101.