150 weapons handed in anonymously to Cambridgeshire Police
It comes after a week-long amnesty
Last updated 24th May 2024
150 weapons have been taken off Cambridgeshire's streets during the police's latest amnesty.
Officers received the weapons including large knives, swords and machetes at police stations in Cambridge, Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire and a mobile amnesty bin in Soham.
Crackdown helped by 'weapon sweeps'
As well as the week-long amnesty, officers conducted 69 'weapon sweeps' in green spaces and other public areas in the county, recovering eight hidden items.
They also spoke to young people in schools about the dangers of carrying knives.
“I’m pleased the public once again used our regular amnesty to dispose of weapons appropriately," Inspector Karl Secker said.
“Amnesties are just one tactic we use when tackling knife crime, they are not the sole solution, but it’s important to give people the opportunity to surrender items.
“Officers visited multiple schools to talk to various age groups about knife crime; it’s vital we reach young people with these messages to make them aware of the dangers."
Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire's police and crime commissioner, thanked those who took part in the amnesty and described the number of weapons handed in as "a promising result".
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.