Almost 180 weapons handed into Cambridgeshire Police during Operation Sceptre
Machetes and knuckledusters were some of the weapons given up
Last updated 23rd Nov 2023
Almost 180 weapons were handed into Cambridgeshire Police as part of a campaign to tackle knife crime last week, new figures have shown.
Machetes and knuckledusters were some of those included in the 179 weapons given up during the national 'Operation Sceptre' week of action.
Amnesty bins were placed inside police stations in Peterborough and Cambridge, with others also in East and South Cambridgeshire.
Police officers also conducted 38 'weapon sweeps' in green spaces and other public areas, recovering 10 items.
Inspector Karl Secker said: “Thank you to everyone who made use of the amnesty to dispose of knives and other weapons.
“Speaking to young people about knife crime is an incredibly important part of our work to tackle the issue. I’m therefore pleased we managed to visit multiple schools across the county as part of the week of action.
“Tackling knife crime is a priority for the constabulary as we strive to make the county an even safer place to live.”
More than 40 trips to schools as part of Operation Sceptre
Cambridgeshire Police took part in more than 40 sessions at schools across the county, as well as speaking to teenagers at secondary schools and primary school children with age appropriate content.
Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire's police and crime commissioner, said: “Every weapon that has been surrendered is potentially a life saved - thank you to everyone who supported the knife amnesty.
“This is a great initiative that helps to make our streets safer and it forms part of our wider plan to tackle knife crime and serious violence, which is an important part of my Police and Crime Plan.”
Knives and the law
In the last year, possession of knife offences in Cambridgeshire dropped by 5%.
The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is 4 years in prison and a £5,000 fine.
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, such as a Swiss Army knife;
- carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife;
- use any knife in a threatening way.