Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) guns and (b) other weapons have been detected at ports and airports in the UK in each of the last five years.

(a)The table below shows the number of guns seized by Border Force from 2012-13 to 2016-17.

The firearms definition used by for Border Force seizure statistical purposes has changed during the last 5 years. The firearms definition for 2012-13 includes ammunition, fireworks, and explosive material. The firearms definition for 2013/14 excludes ammunition, but includes fireworks and explosives material. The firearm definition used for 2014/15 onwards excludes ammunition, fireworks and explosive material.

(b)The table below shows the number of offensive weapons seized by Border Force from 2012-13 to 2016-17.

The figures quoted are management information, which is subject to internal quality checks and may be subject to change.