By Humberside Police encourage people to surrender offensive weapons in bid to tackle knife crime
As Operation Sceptre week takes place from 15 November until 22 November, Humberside Police are encouraging members of the public to use their knife surrender bins.
These bins are in place at police stations across Humberside – including Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Hull and Barton – and were installed to allow people to surrender any offensive weapons, in a bid to tackle knife crime in the area.
Operation Sceptre occurs across the country twice a year, and is a “national intensification campaign” by police forces which aims to reduce knife crime by targeting people carrying weapons and disrupting the supply of knives available to use.
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “Our officers undertake a range of activities including targeted operations, engagement and education to reassure young people they are safer not carrying knives.
“Our message to those who carry a knife, or who are thinking of carrying one, is that carrying a knife does not protect you. It only adds to your vulnerability, placing you in dangerous situations, and serious harm, not to mention the legal consequences of being found in possession of one.
“Knives destroy lives, affecting you, and the people around you.
“Enforcement alone will not tackle the root causes of why people become involved in knife crime. We collaborate with partners including councils, schools, colleges, youth agencies, businesses such as clubs and bars, and Crimestoppers, to help keep our communities safe.
“We are encouraging members of the public during Op Sceptre week to drop off their dangerous or unwanted knives and weapons at our police stations in knife surrender bins, across the force area.”
The maximum penalty for carrying a knife is four years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
If anyone is caught carrying a knife twice, they are handed an automatic prison sentence.
To find out more information about the dangers of knife crime and how you can help to prevent it, click here.
