66 firearms and weapons stolen in Larne and Carrick in last decade

The PSNI have revealed that 37 weapons, including rifles, shotguns and ammunition, were stolen in the Larne and Carrickfergus area between 2010 and 2016.
Oliver McMullan.Oliver McMullan.
Oliver McMullan.

The information was contained in a Freedom of Information request by East Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan.

The FOI request also revealed that an additional 29 firearms were stolen between 2006 and 2009.

This brings the total number of weapons and shotguns stolen in the area between 2006 to 2016 to 66.

Mr McMullan is now calling on the PSNI to “crack down on gun thefts.”

The East Antrim MLA said: “Following reports of thefts of legally help firearms in the Larne and Carrickfergus area, I asked the PSNI to outline the extent of the problem.

“In response to my FOI request, the PSNI said that 37 weapons were stolen in the area between 2010 and 2016.

“This is on top of 29 firearms which were stolen between 2006 and 2009.

“This includes high-powered rifles and shotguns and a sizeable quantity of ammunition was also stolen.

“It is reasonable to assume that at least some, if not all of these weapons have fallen into the hands of the organised crime gangs and paramilitaries preying on communities.

“I will be contacting the PSNI to see what efforts have been made to recover these weapons and prevent further thefts,” he concluded.