450 knives handed in during Wiltshire's two week amnesty
13 bins were placed at different locations around the county
Last updated 1st Dec 2021
For the past two weeks Wiltshire Police have been trying to crackdown on knife crime, but taking part in Operation Sceptre.
As part of the campaign, they set up 13 amnesty bins across the county in community buildings and churches inlcuidng two in Salisbury.
Anyone who had unwanted knives or bladed articles were able to hand them in without fear of prosecution.
Knives, knuckledusters, samurai swords and even a large ceremonial sword were among the items given in.
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.
Also, arrests were made along with the seizure of drugs and weapons during a raid at a house in Swindon which was carried out as part of Operation Sceptre on the 17th.
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.
“The two week campaign has also been about education aimed especially at young people who we know are more likely to get involved in this type of anti-social and violent behaviour. 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.
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.”
Meanwhile, during that time, officers visited a number of schools inlcuding Stonehenge in Amesbury to raise awareness of knife crime.
They set up a knife arch on the only foot-way between the two main parts of the school during break time, with around 250 pupils passing through.
HOW MANY KNIVES WERE RETURNED IN HAMPSHIRE?
Operation Sceptre was a national campaign, with forces up and down the country taking part.
This includes Hampshire Police, who made a total of 29 arrests.
In total, over 200 knives were handed into their amnesty bins.
Chief Inspector John Halfacre, lead for knife crime at Hampshire Constabulary, said:
“Working closely as a force and with our partners we have recorded some great proactive results. Thanks to the intensification activity, 206 fewer knives are on the streets of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which is a great result towards our continued efforts to reduce serious violence and specifically knife crime in our communities.
“The operation reflects our commitment to working alongside local agencies and the community to prevent knife crime. Whilst policing plays an essential role in enforcement activity we want to continue to work together alongside our Violence Reduction Network to embed a community-led approach to prevention and enforcement, by working together and taking a unified approach we will ultimately be more effective in reducing knife crime and divert young people away from becoming involved with knife crime.
“It is important that we all take a role in supporting our young people to make positive choices and facilitate conversations that bring about change, help and support is available and resources can be found on our website safe4me and the national knife free campaign."