Knife amnesty Huge numbers of illegal weapons given to police
AHUGE number of illegal weapons including shotguns and zombie knives have been surrendered to police in Gloucestershire.
The weapons were handed over in just two weeks as part of an amnesty scheme which aims to clean up the county’s streets.
In total, 317 knives of various types, three batons and one set of nunchucks were handed over.
Police also collected four shotguns, three imitation firearms, an air weapon and a number of ammunition rounds.
Chief Inspector Carl Bourne said: “I’d like to thank the public for their support during this campaign. We are confident that we have started a conversation in many households about weapon ownership and knife crime.
“The vast majority of the knives that were handed in are now classified as illegal to possess in your home address after a recent change in the law.
“Some items that fall into this category are; butterfly knives, disguised knives, flick knives, zombie knives and swords.
“Any number of weapons put in the bins is a success. Every single one is taken off our streets and now won’t be causing any potential danger.
“The knife surrender is over but our work isn’t. We will continue to work hard to prevent violent crimes in Gloucestershire.”
Seven amnesty bins were located at police stations across the county, and all of the weapons left in them will now be destroyed.
The bins were located at Bearlands, Cirencester, Coleford, Hester’s Way, Stroud, Dursley, Tewkesbury and Stow.
The surrender was part of a national campaign called Op Sceptre, aimed at tackling knife crime.