A month-long amnesty has been launched today (Thursday 20 October) for those who carry knives on the streets of Leicester.
Amnesty bins have been installed in six police stations in and around the city where people can safely dispose of knives.
The initiative is part of a majo
r campaign called #LivesNotKnives that was launched this week to combat knife crime.
The bins can be found at the following police stations:
Superintendent Kerry Smith said:
“The bins will be in place for four weeks and I would urge anyone who carries a knife in public to take it straight to one of these bins and get rid of it.
“While overall knife crime has remained pretty stable over the last few years, the number of people caught in possession of knives has recently increased, and that is not only unacceptable but will not be tolerated.
“Knives cost lives and can have a devastating consequence on all those involved, from the victim and their family to the perpetrator and their loved ones. Simply being caught in possession of a knife or bladed instrument in public can lead to a four year prison sentence.
“I would strongly advise those who think, for whatever reason, it is acceptable and necessary to carry a knife to take it straight to one of these bins and get rid of it.”
The #LivesNotKnives campaign coincides with a national week of action being undertaken by police forces up and down the country to tackle knife crime.
The campaign hopes to:
- reduce the number of knife-related offences within the city
- educate and inform young people regarding the dangers of carrying knives; and
- target young people who are believed to be carrying knives and to bring them to justice.
Those planning to hand in their knives should ensure they are covered and placed in a bag or container before being taken to a participating police station.
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