Cambridgeshire knife amnesty hailed success by police
More than 270 weapons were anonymously handed in
More than 270 weapons including large knives, knuckle dusters and swords were handed in to police last week as part of an amnesty across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The items were surrendered at amnesty bins in the country, as well as at events in Cambourne, Sawston, Histon and Ely.
Some of the 272 weapons are illegal to own due to changes to the Offensive Weapons Act banning items such as knuckledusters, extendable batons, curved swords and zombie knives. Even if kept on private property.
“There are now fewer weapons on the streets of Cambridgeshire – helping to make our neighbourhoods even safer."
As well as the amnesty, officers visited numerous schools across the county, took part in extra patrols in hotspot areas and conducted weapons sweeps in an effort to locate any hidden items in public spaces.
The week-long initiative is part of ‘Operation Guardian’ – the Constabulary’s ongoing strategy to combat knife crime in the Cambridgeshire.
In the last year possession of knife offences increased in Cambridgeshire by six per cent.
Where knives are concerned, 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 3 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 Karl Secker said: “To have more than 270 weapons handed in is a huge success.
"This represents a significant increase in items surrendered compared to recent amnesties and I’d like to thank everyone who took part.
“There are now fewer weapons on the streets of Cambridgeshire – helping to make our neighbourhoods even safer.
“Tackling knife crime is one of our priorities. It’s vital we continue our efforts to engage with young people and do all we can to combat the issue."
Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said: “I am pleased to see so many people voluntarily removing knives from our streets – this is good news for us all.
"I have personally spent time speaking to young people in schools across the county about the dangers involved in carrying these potentially lethal weapons and remain committed to tackling serious violence (including knife crime) with partners to address this issue.”