Surrey Police Offer Amnesty Bins In New National Campaign Against Knife Crime

Published on: 17 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 21 Sep, 2019

The “knife bank” at Guildford police station, just inside the front entrance.

Surrey Police are engaged in Operation Sceptre, a national week of action against knife crime which began yesterday, September 16.

Knife amnesty bins have been placed at the front counters of Staines, Guildford, Woking and Reigate police stations to safely dispose of knives and bladed weapons without fear of prosecution, no details or d no questions asked.

In the March campaign, more than 100 weapons were surrendered. Knife crime remains low in Surrey, but police are determined to keep on top of the issue.

Detective Superintendent Pete Fulton, who leads on tackling violent crime, said: “We are making good progress in tackling this type of criminality. Surrey is one of the safest places in the country.

“We are working with partners across all agencies targeting this crime type and we would encourage anyone with information or knowledge of knife-carrying and activity to report this to us or use the anonymous reporting system via Crimestoppers.

“Officers will also be undertaking proactive activity across the county to raise awareness, particularly among young people, that carrying a knife can have fatal consequences. The message to those who carry a knife, or are thinking of carrying one, is that a knife does not protect you. It will make you more vulnerable, placing you in danger of serious harm.”

Help and support is available at knifefree.co.uk/get-help-support/. Those wishing to surrender their knives or weapons are advised to wrap weapons in paper or card in they are stopped and/or searched on route to one of our stations. The intention must be clear to any officer.

Anyone with information or knowledge that could help police can call on 101 or report online. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.