Cumbria Police is taking part in this week’s national Sceptre campaign.
Sceptre runs from 17 November to 23 November and is a national policing campaign which aims to make streets safer across the country via a number of means including by providing the opportunity for potentially dangerous and harmful blades to be removed from our streets by giving people the opportunity to dispose of knives anonymously and safely in amnesty bins at local Police Stations.
In Cumbria, the focus of the week will be working with retailers to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities.
Chief Inspector Sam Turner said: “Sceptre is about giving people the opportunity to rid themselves of potentially dangers weapons and blades before they can be used to cause harm.
“This forms part of our work in preventing knife violence before it can take place.
“We will be working in the community – including with local businesses – to promote responsibility as the police alone cannot tackle knife violence.”
Someone in possession of a knife is not only increasing the risk of harm to themselves but could also face a fine of £5,000 and a four-year prison sentence.
In addition to the usual Operation Sceptre knife amnesty, in Cumbria there will be the opportunity for people to also come forward and dispose of other potentially dangerous weapons, including other types of bladed weapons such as hatchets or axes and even crossbows.
Ch Insp Turner said: “Whilst incidents involving crossbows are rare, they do occur, including here in Cumbria.
“We want to take this opportunity to give people who are in possession of such a weapon, but who would like to dispose of it safely and legally, the opportunity to do so.
“There will be people who purchased such a weapon – perhaps some years ago – who now wish to give it up for their own safety and the safety of those around them.
“We encourage such people to come forward and hand your weapon in to your local police station.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “The fact is simple: if you have a weapon, you are more likely to use it.
“Operation Sceptre provides the opportunity for anyone with a sharp weapon – or crossbow – to hand them over safely to Police without consequence.
“Knife crime can have devastating effects on communities as a whole – not just the victim and perpetrator – it can ruin entire families and affect the lives of those involved, such as the emergency services.
“I’d urge anyone with a knife or crossbow in their possession to hand them over – it’s a community effort to keep our streets safe and only by working together can we achieve this.”
Anyone wishing to hand a weapon in should put them in a box or strong bag. Never attempt to take an uncovered knife or bladed article out in public. Members of the public are also advised to go directly to a designated station when handing in such items.
The stations where you can hand your knives or bladed articles in are:
North
- Carlisle
South
- Barrow
- Kendal
West
- Whitehaven
- Workington
To check on opening times please visit: Find a police station | Cumbria Police
If you are worried about the someone who is in possession of a knife or need advice, please contact police or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.
You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit. You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Always call 999 in an emergency and when a crime is in progress.