Cumbria Police is taking part in a national campaign, offering the public the opportunity to dispose of knives and other bladed articles safely.
Sceptre runs from 18 May to 24 May and is long-running national policing campaign which aims to make streets safer across the country, including by providing people the opportunity to dispose of knives anonymously and safely in amnesty bins at local Police Stations.
In Cumbria, the focus of the week will be working with retailers to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities.
Chief Inspector Sam Turner said: “Cumbria Police support each Sceptre week of action and will back the campaign this week, including by providing amnesty bins at many of our police stations around the county, so people can safely dispose of potentially dangerous knives and other bladed articles.
“The operation is part of our on-going work targeting violence before it can take place.
“In addition to the knife amnesty, we will also be visiting retailers around the county to remind them of their obligations, including not selling knives to children.”
Someone in possession of a knife is not only increasing the risk of harm to themselves but could also face a fine of £5,000 and a four-year prison sentence.
Ch Insp Turner said: “Very few people actually carry knives and those who do are more likely to come to harm.
“A knife makes a situation much worse.
“If someone you know is carrying a knife you can report it to the police, speak to a trusted family member or teacher, or you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
In addition to the usual Sceptre knife amnesty, in Cumbria there will, once again, be the opportunity for people to also come forward and dispose of other potentially dangerous weapons, including other types of bladed weapons such as hatchets or axes and even crossbows.
Ch Insp Turner said: “Instead of limiting ourselves to just knives, we are keen to open up the amnesty for people to safely dispose of a wider range of potentially dangerous items.
“There may be people who purchased such an item some years ago who would like rid of it but don’t know how to do it safely – this is their opportunity.
“By safely disposing of such items, you will make yourself, your family and your community safer.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Knife crime can have devastating effects on communities as a whole – not just the victim and perpetrator – it can ruin entire families and affect the lives of those involved, such as the emergency services.
“It is a community effort to reduce knife crime which is why we are appealing to retailers across the county to not sell knives or sharp objects to children – we all have a part to play to protect ourselves and each other.
“Carrying a knife in public will never be acceptable - we need to tackle it head on and stop it.
“Sceptre is an opportunity for us all to do our part - I would urge anyone that has sharp objects that could be used as a weapon to hand them over to one of the amnesties across the county.
“Together we can continue to make Cumbria a safer county for everyone.”
Anyone wishing to hand a weapon in should put them in a box or strong bag. Never attempt to take an uncovered knife or bladed article out in public. Members of the public are also advised to go directly to a designated station when handing in such items.
The stations where you can hand your knives or bladed articles in are:
North
- Carlisle
- Penrith (Hunter Lane)
South
- Barrow
- Kendal
West
- Whitehaven
- Workington
To check on opening times please visit: Find a police station | Cumbria Police
If you are worried about the someone who is in possession of a knife or need advice, please contact police or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.
You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit. You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Always call 999 in an emergency and when a crime is in progress.