Knife amnesty launched after 310 acts of violence involving bladed …
A police campaign to get knives off our streets has started in Gloucestershire amid fears about young people carrying bladed weapons. Operation Sceptre runs until Sunday (May 21) with special amnesty bins placed in police stations[1] in the county
Violent crime has been increasing across the UK and last year there were 310 acts of violence in Gloucestershire which involved a knife or sharp instrument. While those numbers are similar to other counties of a similar size, Gloucestershire police[2] said high-profile cases involving young people like Josh Hall[3] have devastated communities
Officers in the county have been working hard with partners to address the issue of young people carrying knives and this campaign is part of a wider approach that has already seen the knife angel visit Gloucester[4] in recent months. The surrender is another important initiative and aims to prevent weapons from getting into the wrong hands whilst providing members of the community with a safe place to dispose of any knives they may have, whether held lawfully or unlawfully, police said.
Stations where items can be handed
- Hester’s Way, Cheltenham
- Bearland, Gloucester
- Stroud
- Cirencester
- Coleford
Members of the public are advised to use a few sheets of newspaper or cardboard to wrap a knife ensuring that there is enough material to prevent it piercing through. It should also be sealed with sticky tape to stop the knife being easily removed or falling out of the wrapping.
References
- ^ police stations (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucestershire police (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Josh Hall (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ knife angel visit Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Apologies as major Gloucester road to be closed for nine nights at notorious ‘pinch point’ (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)