| Officers in Cambridgeshire will be joining others across the country next week in an operation to tackle a rise in knife crime.
The week-long initiative, aimed at taking weapons off the streets and tackling associated offending, includes an amnesty where members of the public can hand in knives without fear of prosecution.
Offences involving possession of a knife in Cambridgeshire rose by nearly 10% in 2018/19 compared to figures from the previous year. Despite this, the figure remains below the national average and is in line with a rise in offences across the country.
From Monday (16 September) to the following Monday, knife surrender bins will be located at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough and Parkside Police Station in Cambridge.
Knives can also be handed in to any police station with an enquiry office across Cambridgeshire.
In addition, officers will be visiting schools to talk about knife crime and test purchases will be carried out at retail outlets. Test purchasing is where someone under the age of 18 attempts to buy a knife to see if they are asked for identification.
It is illegal to:
– sell a knife of any kind to anyone under 18 years old.
– carry a knife in public without good reason – unless it’s a knife with a folding blade three inches long (7.62 cm) or less, eg a Swiss Army knife
– carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife
– use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife)
The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000.
Inspector Matt Snow said: “This amnesty provides us with an excellent opportunity to join with colleagues across the country to get knives off the streets.
“Knives ruin lives and it’s important we are doing all we can to tackle the issue. Please make use of the knife surrender bins next week – you could save a life.
“This is the second knife amnesty since serious street based violence (SSBV) became a force priority.
“SSBV was introduced to address concerns over people carrying weapons in Cambridgeshire and we are focusing on both education and enforcement.
“The action our officers take next week will follow the same method. It’s important that we’re talking to young people about the dangers of carrying knives and the potentially devastating consequences.
“I’d urge the family and friends of people who carry knives to encourage them to make use of the amnesty. Even if you feel the person would never actually use the weapon, by disposing of it you completely eliminate that risk and you could be preventing them from being prosecuted.
“If people don’t make use of the amnesty and they are found to be carrying a knife in public, they could face a hefty fine and further prosecution by the courts.”
Anyone who knows someone who carries a knife is urged to call us on 101 or report online by clicking here.
More information on knife crime is available on the force website.
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Corporate Communications |
I have attended these very important meetings previously, this year in Ely.
