About 40 firearms have been removed from the Western Cape’s streets during a week-long operation aimed at cracking down on illegal guns and ammunition as well as serious crime.

At least 12 of the guns were confiscated in Delft and six others in the Nyanga precinct.

Some 300 rounds of ammunition were also seized and at least 40 people arrests on range of charges.

According to police the crackdown formed part of Operation Restore which is aimed at disarming criminals in identified communities.

Other dangerous weapons, drugs and thousands of litres of liquor from illegal shebeens were also seized. Police say all the firearms recovered will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine if it was used in any crime.

The suspects will appear in various courts.