A firearms amnesty is to be launched in Sussex in a bid to halt the rising tide of gun crime.

Police are urging owners to surrender firearms, air guns and replica weapons before new legislation is introduced making unlawful gun possession an offence punishable by a minimum five-year prison sentence.

The amnesty, from Monday, March 31, to April 30, comes as new figures show a sharp rise in firearm incidents in Sussex.

There were 155 gun crimes last year compared to 110 the previous year, a 40 per cent increase and five per cent above the national average.

There were 67 armed robberies last year but Sussex Police said many involved replica weapons.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said: "Victims suffer the same distress whether or not the gun is real."

The growing use of firearms in England and Wales has prompted the Government to invite experts from Jamaica and the US to help tackle the problem.

Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth will share information in "what works" with US Assistant District Attorney Marc Agnifico and Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas of the Jamaican constabulary.

No one will be prosecuted during the amnesty, but Mr Williams said the force was determined to keep a tight grip on gun crime.

He said the force was particularly concerned by young men carrying toy or imitation guns.

He said: "Some of these items are so realistic that even trained police firearms officers confront with them cannot tell them from the real thing."

Mr Williams warned: "Anyone carrying them faces the very real possibility of being confronted by armed police."