MORE than a dozen guns were lost or stolen in the county last year, despite the UK having some of the strictest gun laws in the world.

The Gun Control Network (GCN) said the figures are “appalling” – with 15 firearms in Sussex among the hundreds that were lost or stolen last year.

The figures are from the 12 months to March, and show a 250 per cent increase from the previous 12-month period when just six incidents were recorded.

A spokesman for the GCN said: "Anybody who loses a weapon is not fit to own a weapon.

"They are actually in breach of the technical requirements of the licence, that it must be kept safe and secure at all times."

The Argus: More than a dozen guns were lost or stolen last yearMore than a dozen guns were lost or stolen last year

Many people have lost their right to bear arms as a result, with ten licensees across Sussex having their accreditation shredded.

It means 19,631 people in Sussex and Surrey are now authorised to use guns, of which 53 are aged 17 and under.

A spokesman for the National Crime Agency (NCA) said gun crime in the UK is “relatively low” compared with mainland Europe, but recognised "some criminals may try to obtain firearms illegally through theft from lawful licence holders".

Christian Ashwell, head of firearms threat at the NCA, said: "The NCA works closely with policing partners and engages directly with representatives of the firearms trade and sports shooting associations to promote the safe and responsible ownership and storage of firearms, shotguns and ammunition."

Chief Inspector Simon Starns, of Sussex Police Operations, said: “These figures represent an extremely small percentage of the 45,000 licensed firearms holders across Sussex and Surrey, many of whom will possess multiple firearms, so they need to be taken in context.

“We recently supported a national firearms surrender and had 133 items including firearms, imitation firearms and ammunition handed in. This demonstrates the general public take a very responsible approach to the handling of firearms.

“Where a firearm is reported lost or stolen, it is our absolute priority to recover it.

"Where we do recover a lost or stolen firearm, it will become part of an investigation and submitted against the national database to ensure it had not been used in any form or criminality.

“All firearms holders receive advice and a security check before any licence is granted.”