Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe has welcomed the launch of a four-week-long knife surrender campaign, aimed at making the streets safer for everyone.
During the campaign, which is operating across the Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police alliance area, anyone can surrender a knife or blade at one of a number of police stations around the region.
This is part of Operation Sceptre, a national operation to reduce knife crime and the number of families affected by knife crime.
Knife surrender bins will be located at the following police stations in Warwickshire:
- Leamington Spa
- Nuneaton
- Rugby
- Stratford-upon-Avon
People surrendering knives at the stations will not have to leave their names or any details. However, if police suspect a weapon has been used in a crime they will examine it for evidence.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “Knife crime has a devastating effect on people’s lives – both for victims, perpetrators, their families and the wider community. While thankfully knife crime is not commonplace in Warwickshire, it’s still important that we all work together to rid knives from our streets.
“There is no circumstance where carrying a knife as a weapon is acceptable and, while some people wrongly perceive that a knife offers them some kind of protection, in reality it only serves to make them more vulnerable while placing those around them at greater risk.
“Every knife surrendered is one less that can cause death, destruction and misery, so I am very supportive of this campaign. I hope anyone who owns a knife – young or old – will take this opportunity to surrender their weapon and dispose of it safely.”
Chief Inspector Sharon Cannings, from Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said: “While the region doesn’t have a big knife problem we’re keen to play our part in this national campaign to tackle knife crime and the damage it causes to communities.
“Knife crime doesn’t just affect the victims it affects the families of victims and offenders and has a devastating impact on the wider community.
“We want people who carry knives to stop and think about the potential consequences for others and themselves.
“For the next four weeks people will have the opportunity to surrender those knives anonymously. The decision to do so might be the most important decision they ever make.”
