‘Bin a knife… to save a life’

Devon & Cornwall Police is asking members of the public to help support the national week-long knife amnesty – Op Sceptre to keep communities safe across the two counties. 

From Monday 15 to Sunday 21 November 2021, anyone who has unwanted knives or blades can dispose of the weapons at police stations, anonymously and without fear of prosecution.

Opening times for police stations with special bins can be found on our website: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/police-enquiry-offices

If people are unable to visit a police station, it is also possible to dispose of unwanted knives at a local recycling centre or securely packaged in household waste.

As part of the week of action, police will be running proactive operations and intervention activity in targeted areas across Devon and Cornwall.

The force is also launching education workshops in schools to coincide with the week, these will be led by Youth Intervention Officers and aim to educate young people about the effects of knife crime, help understand the law, and prevent them from carrying knives. 

Data from the Office of National Statistics shows Devon & Cornwall has one of the lowest knife crime rates (39 per 100,000 population) of all 43 police forces, and we hope to maintain this record.  This type of offence remains low across the two counties.

Police are also reminding people about the changes in legislation which came into effect in July this year, making it an offence to possess certain items, such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in a private place.

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. If a person is convicted of carrying a knife more than once, then they will be given a prison sentence.

Guidance on basic laws on knives, banned knives and weapons, and legitimate reasons for carrying a knife can be found on the Government’s website -  www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

Detective Chief Inspector Alexandra Doughty, from Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Devon and Cornwall are two of the safest counties to live in the UK, and we know we do not have as much knife crime as seen in other areas of the country.  However, we still want to keep our communities safe by being proactive in preventing knife crime. Supporting national weeks of action is just one way of doing this. 

“Any knife taken out of circulation and off the street helps to prevent injuries and deaths. We are asking our communities to help support us during the week-long amnesty by disposing of unwanted knives, by either anonymously placing in the bins at police enquiry offices, at local recycling centres or safely packaged in waste bins.”

Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “This week people who have made the poor decision to carry a knife will once again have an opportunity to do something positive and get rid of it in a responsible way.

“Carrying a knife is not a phenomenon that’s confined to teenagers. Four out of five of those who commit knife offences are adults and the maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. You’ll get a prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife more than once.  

“So, if you, or someone you love, carries a knife I’d strongly recommend taking advantage of this week’s amnesty.”

--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Devon and Cornwall Police - please visit their official website for further information.