Knife amnesty bins in Hampshire
It is as police take part in Operation Sceptre
Police across the south coast are taking part in a week of action on knife crime.
In Hampshire, serious offences involving a knife have reduced from 1,035 offences (year ending June 2024) to 936 offences (year ending June 2025).
The Force says it is committed to continuing to reduce knife crime, and this week they'll intensify efforts through education, prevention and enforcement.
Police say a range of targeted operations will be coordinated throughout the week alongside partners to engage with young people and the community, to educate and bust myths, and to prevent knife crime.
The public can expect the following activity during Op Sceptre:
• High visibility patrols, particularly in hotspot locations and targeting repeat offenders
• Conducting weapon sweeps for hidden or discarded knives
• Checking in on retails to ensure they are complying with age-restricted sales laws
• School and youth club engagement to educate, prevent knife crime and build trust with young people
• Knife surrender bins to provide safe and anonymous disposal options
• Staffing knife arches to detect and deter people from carrying knives
• Community engagement to provide reassurance and to raise awareness
Inspector James Barton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s tactical lead for knife crime said: “Knife crime is devastating for all the lives and communities it impacts. It’s a top priority for our Force to tackle knife crime and serious violence, our efforts over the last year have seen a positive reduction in knife-related offences within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as a direct result.
“We can’t be complacent. There is plenty more work to be done and that is why we support this week of action and will be intensifying our prevention and engagement work across all districts to make our communities safer and to build brighter futures for young people, alongside our neighbourhood enforcement and proactive activity against knife carriers and offending.
“It is not possible for policing to address the complex issue of knife crime alone and so we’re working closely with our partners to have a multipronged approach to continue reducing knife-related violence.
“Sceptre is not just about enforcement where we seize knives and make arrests, but it’s also about education and prevention to get to the root causes and break the cycle of violence. We know it can be worrying to hear about people being injured or killed by knives but carrying a knife yourself doesn’t make you any safer but puts you at greater risk of harm.
“The reality is that very few people carry knives but if someone you know is carrying a knife or involved in serious violence, you can report it to the police, speak to a trusted family member or teacher, or you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers and Fearless. Every knife taken off the streets is a potential life saved.”
Support is available through the charity The Ben Kinsella Trust.