Amnesty to take weapons off Cambridgeshire's streets

Police are holding a weapons amnesty next week allowing people to hand in knives and other items without being prosecuted.

As well as knives, the amnesty will cover weapons such as knuckledusters, extendable batons, curved swords and zombie knives that were banned in July last year. On this occasion it will not cover firearms.

The week-long amnesty starts on Monday (14) with bins located at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough and Parkside Police Station in Cambridge throughout the week.

There will also be an amnesty bin at Histon Police Station on Monday (14) from 8am until 12pm, Sawston Police Station on Thursday (17) from 8am until 12pm and Cambourne Police Station on Friday (18) from 8am until 12pm.

The weapons amnesty forms part of the national ‘Operation Sceptre’ week of action. It will also include extra police patrols in ‘hotspot’ areas, targeting those believed to be carrying knives, work in schools and with retailers selling knives. The week will be supported by officers, Specials and police cadets.

In the last year possession of knife offences increased in Cambridgeshire by 10%. However, it is unclear what impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on these figures.

The week-long initiative is part of ‘Operation Guardian’ – the Constabulary’s ongoing strategy to combat knife crime in the county.

Where knives are concerned, it is illegal to:

- sell a knife of any kind to anyone under 18 years old.

- carry a knife in public without good reason - unless it’s a knife with a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less, eg a Swiss Army knife

- carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife

- use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife)

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000.

Inspector Matt Snow said: “Some people still don’t know items such as curved swords and knuckle dusters are now illegal to own – even if kept on private property.

“This amnesty is the perfect opportunity to dispose of knives and those items covered under the Offensive Weapons Act.

“By disposing of weapons you’re helping to make our communities safer and you could even save a life.

“If you believe someone you know carries a knife, we’d like to take this opportunity to encourage you to speak to them about it. This is an ideal time to get rid of any items. By doing so they will be safer, as well as removing the risk of being prosecuted.”

Visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website for more information on the Offensive Weapons Act and to access a list of the banned items.