Hand over your weapons - Wiltshire Police - Bin the Blades campaign
Wiltshire police's knives amnesty and knife crime prevention fortnight, started on Monday 16 September and runs until Sunday 29th September 2019.
As part of Operation Sceptre, the national knife crime prevention initiative co-ordinating ways to tackle knife crime, people are being encouraged to hand in unwanted or illegal knives and bladed weapons during the period of the amnesty.
Ellen Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South West Wiltshire said, "I know from professional experience that the effects and consequences of knife crime are far reaching for individuals, families and the wider community. There were 43,516 knife crime offences in the 12 months ending March 2019, which is an 80% increase from the low-point in the year ending March 2014, when there were 23,945 offences.
This knife amnesty gives people a chance to dispose of knives and weapons by simply taking them to one of the specified locations at police stations, churches or community centres and drop them into the amnesty bin.
People handing in knives and weapons will not face prosecution for possession of a knife or weapon and can remain anonymous.
Anyone handing in a knife or weapon during the amnesty is advised to check the opening times of their nearest bin by visiting the Wiltshire Police website or calling 101.
If you have information about someone who carries a knife or is involved knife crimes please call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Information can also be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Special amnesty bins are available at 9 locations across the county, with some also in Swindon.
The locations are:
Marlborough Police Station
Melksham Police Station
St Andrews Church, Melksham
Monkton Park, Chippenham
Trowbridge Police Station
St James Church, Trowbridge
St James Church, Devizes
Bourne Hill, Salisbury
SP2 Community Centre, Salisbury
Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: "We want to raise the awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife or owning an illegal weapon. "Wiltshire cannot be compared to what is happening in the more urban areas of Britain but we are never complacent; we must let the public know what we can do to remove knives from our streets. "Carrying a knife should not be considered the norm. Fortunately in Wiltshire very few choose to leave the house with a knife or blade, and sadly the reality is that those who do are more likely to be involved in a violent act or be injured. "Education is key, and we need to be passing this on to our children that it's never OK to carry a knife.
"Please help us do the right thing to help keep Wiltshire safe."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42749089
