PCC welcomes knife amnesty efforts

Wiltshire’s PCC has welcomed the news that 450 knives and bladed weapons are no longer in circulation in the county, after the latest knife amnesty.

Knives, knuckledusters, samurai swords and even a large ceremonial sword have been handed in during the two weeks of the amnesty, which also included an educational and enforcement element to the overall campaign.

Wiltshire Police’s Op Sceptre knife crime awareness campaign and amnesty came to an end last week, with a total of 450 knives and bladed weapons handed in at police stations, churches and community centres across the county.

PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “Removing just one knife that could maim or kill from Wiltshire’s streets is to be applauded but tackling knife crime is not something the police can do alone.

“The work of our early intervention team along with schools, charities, community groups and the health service, is vital to ensuring education of the dangers of carrying a knife reaches beyond the classroom.

“It is the role of my office, and our partners, to continue to intervene earlier, when necessary, and to make sure we’re providing positive alternatives and opportunities to those who are at risk of, and vulnerable to, being targeted and drawn into knife crime.

“This is something I intend to do to make Wiltshire a safer place to live.”

Events

Officers and staff from Wiltshire Police, working with several stakeholder partners, took part in a number of events over the fortnight, including:

• Visits to schools to give talks to pupils about the dangers of carrying and using knives
• Swindon police cadets helped Trading Standards with test purchases – where retailers are “tested” on whether or not they sell to someone under 18
• Knife arch – officers took the arch into some schools and colleges to use it as an introduction to discuss knife crime and safety awareness
• General information communicated about the latest change in the knife crime laws.

Thirteen amnesty bins were placed around the county for members of the public to place unwanted knives in without fear of prosecution. Although, police will continue to investigate offences linked to any knives or weapons recovered.

Continuing the work

Inspector David Tippetts, who led the amnesty across the county, said:

“Operation Sceptre has been very successful in as much as we have had more than 450 knives and blades handed in.

“If we can remove at least one knife off our streets or stop at least one stabbing then operations like this are helping us move in the right direction to make our communities safer.

“However, the police can't stop the illegal use of knives alone. This is about us continuing to work with our partners like the local authorities, charities and other emergency services, as well as the public to educate, engage and prevent knife crime.”

Operation Sceptre has now finished; however, people can still hand in their knives and unwanted weapons at any time at their closest police station.