East Midlands police forces ramp up anti-knife crime efforts as part of "Operation Sceptre"
"Surrender bins" for blades will be at some police stations
Derbyshire, Leicester and Nottinghamshire police force will all take part in anti-knife crime efforts as part of the national "Operation Spectre".
As part of the week, which is aimed at spreading awareness about the dangers of knife crime, Nottinghamshire Police have released an interview with Adam Brooks who is the Head of the Major Trauma centre at Queen's Medical Centre (above).
Nottinghamshire police say the force visit "habitual knife carriers" to deliver their anti knives message. Meanwhile the public will be able to hand over unwanted knives to surrender bins at Mansfield House, Spinney Hill, Wigston, Keyham Lane, Beaumont Leys, Braunstone, Market Harborough, and Melton police stations, as well as the Falcon Centre in Pinfold Gate, Loughborough. The bins are available for people to safely and anonymously dispose of a knife.
Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Drummond, from the Violent and Complex Crime Unit who is leading the operation said: “Reducing knife crime is a key element in tackling violence. Our officers are working hard to protect communities, tackle this abhorrent crime and educate people on the harm it causes.
“Education and prevention work is key to what we do. We have a complex task trying to reach individuals motivated or pressured to carry knives, and this response not only requires efforts on behalf of the police, but in local schools, charities, from friends and family members, as well as from prominent members of the community."
Superintendent Sarah McAughtrie, the operational lead for knife crime across Derbyshire explained: “In Derbyshire we work tirelessly to reduce serious violence and knife crime all year round through our Project Zao, during this week we will be working together to do even more."
“We want the young people of the county to feel safe when they go out and to understand that carrying a knife brings with it more risk than protection."
Nottinghamshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Gerard Milano said: “While knife crime has continued to fall in Nottinghamshire we will never be complacent and we’re still working relentlessly all year round to drive down violent crime even further and keep people safe.
“Any incident is one too many. Each and every knife that we’re able to remove from circulation represents a potential to save lives."