Knife amnesty campaign launched in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire Police is joining forces around the country this week with a knife amnesty.
Think twice before taking a knife out with you - that's the message from police in Cambridgeshire as they kick off their knife amnesty today.
The campaign will last for a week and mean that anybody can hand in any bladed weapon anonymously without being prosecuted for having it.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall has a message for anyone who might think they need to carry a knife: "When people leave the house, and they're thinking of taking a knife out with them, I'd ask why it is they're taking that with them. Is it for protection, if so, why do you need it for protection? Or are you going out to harm someone?
"You need to think about what is going to be the end result. If you go out with a knife and get caught by police, that's possession of a deadly weapon and you could be in prison for four years.
"If you use that knife, you could potentially be away for life for murder.
"Is that really work taking a knife out with you?"
From Monday (26 April) to Sunday, 2 May, people will be able to dispose of knives at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough and Parkside Police Station in Cambridge.
The amnesty forms part of the national 'Operation Sceptre' week of action. Other activities include extra patrols in areas of the county identified as 'hotspots' and test purchases to ensure retailers are not selling knives to people under the age of 18.
Possession of an article with a blade or point offences decreased by 17% in Cambridgeshire in 2020/21 compared to figures for the previous financial year.
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.