Knife amnesty must be a success’

YESTERDAY (Wednesday) saw the launch of a knife amensty across Herts and Cambridgeshire.

The police forces have each been given 30 disposal bins for the National Knife Amnesty, which will run until June 30.

During this time, people can get rid of knives without fear of prosecution for possessing an offensive weapon. The campaign aims to reduce the number of knife-related crimes.

Bins are being provided at both Royston police station and Buntingford police station.

Hertfordshire community safety manager Roy Aldwin said: "We are determined to make this knife amnesty the most successful and by getting the bins out early we are giving people every possible opportunity to give up their weapons safely and anonymously.

"We are asking that anyone who has in their possession a knife, or any other offensive weapon, to hand it in - whether it is kept at their home, in business premises or is carried around with them.

"We particularly want to encourage concerned parents or guardians of young people to bring in any weapons their children possess."

Insp Steve Poppitt, of Cambridgeshire police, said: "An amnesty unquestionably reduces the availability of certain kinds of knives and bladed instruments and each knife which is taken out of circulation is one less on the streets of Cambridgeshire that could potentially do harm.

"We want to stress the message that knives, when misused, can damage and even destroy lives.

"This will also be done through educational initiatives in schools and communities and, when the amnesty is over, by enforcement action.