Amnesty in crackdown on knives and blades

DETECTION wands and bins to ditch blades are being launched as part of a crackdown on knife crime. Between 16 and 22 September, Operation Sceptre will see North Wales Police (NWP) stations putting out special amnesty bins across the region for people to deposit knives

Similar bins will be placed at a number of recycling centres for people who do not feel comfortable attending a police station.

And as part of the Home Office-supported campaign, licensed premises are being issued with knife-detection wands which have been funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones.

The full list of licensed premises getting wands is:

Castle, Cube, Waterloo and Academi in Bangor; Copa in Caernarfon; Tikki Bar in Rhyl; Club 147 in Llandudno; Noah’s bar in Colwyn Bay; Boulevard, Llandudno; Wings in Denbigh; Mojo, Central Station, One to Five; Atik and Penny Black in Wrexham and The Tivoli in Buckley. It comes amid fears knife crime is rising across the UK.

Since July 2017, a total of 1,691 knives have been handed in across North Wales.

Temporary Detective Inspector Tecwyn Green, NWP Operation Sceptre co-ordinator, said: “Carrying knives is totally and utterly unacceptable and we hope that introducing these wands will not only act as a deterrent, but they’ll also reassure people who are planning an enjoyable night out.

“Knives are dangerous and there is no place for them on the streets of North Wales.

“Carrying knives or other weapons do not keep you safe. By carrying a knife you are putting yourself in much greater danger, and more likely to become involved in a violent situation and get injured yourself.

“All licensed premises that are being given these wands have been extremely positive and are pleased to play their part in the national campaign.

“These venues rarely have issues relating to knife crime, yet they fully understand the importance of having a preventative initiative such as this one in place.”

He added: “We want to ensure residents are safe from knife crime in their communities so we are pleased to be promoting our week-long knife amnesty where people can hand in knives without fear of punishment.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “The rise in the statistics for violent crime is a general trend across the UK and it is important to remember than North Wales is still one of the safest places to live and work.

“Another important factor to remember is that there have been changes in the recording methods of some categories of crime, including violent crime, and this has also had an impact in skewing the statistics.

“Nevertheless, it is vitally important that we tackle this scourge and I know it is a priority for North Wales Police.

“The message is clear. Knives are dangerous. They can maim and even kill people.”

During the week school community police officers will be attending primary and secondary schools throughout North Wales to give a presentation on knife crime as part of the All Wales Schools Programme.

Unwanted knives can be disposed of in special amnesty bins in police stations in Wrexham, Mold, Rhyl, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Bangor, Caernarfon and Holyhead.

They can also be taken to recycling centres at Mochdre, Abergele, Rhyl, Denbigh and Ruthin.

Police asked people to ensure any sharp ends were securely wrapped in a protective material.

Det Insp Green added: “I would encourage you to take this opportunity to rid yourselves of any illegal weapons by taking them to any of the named stations.”

Anyone with information on knife crime can call NWP on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.