Seven shotguns and 188 knives surrendered
HUMBERSIDE POLICE HAS TAKEN SCORES OF WEAPONS OFF THE REGION’S STREETS
HUMBERSIDE Police have revealed the significant haul of offensive weapons which were surrendered to them in May as part of two nationwide weapons amnesties.
Operation Sceptre ran from May 16 to May 22, and involved the surrender of knives and other bladed articles.
In total, 188 knives were surrendered to the police force.
Running from May 12 until May 29, Operation Aztec focused on the surrender of firearms.
Twelve firearms were given up to the force, made up of seven shotguns, four air rifles, and a .22 rifle.
Superintendent Lee Edwards led the amnesty operation for Humberside Police and said: “I am really pleased that 188 knives or offensive weapons have been taken off the streets of our force area.
It means that these cannot now find their way into the hands of someone who might use them to cause harm.
“This operation was not just about surrendering knives and weapons. I am pleased to report that 23 community and school events took place, which gave officers and PCSOs an opportunity to talk directly to their communities and young people about the dangers of knife crime.
“Almost 400 retailers were also visited to talk about the new legislation around the possession of weapons.”
He added that patrols had also been carried out: “Throughout the operations, we have been conducting targeted patrolling in areas where we know to have local issues and conducted weapons sweeps and using our knife arch in public areas.”
As part of Operation Sceptre, police officers picked up a number of bladed articles from Hull Royal Infirmary.
Sickening images showed the deadly array of weapons that security staff seized from members of the public.
It is illegal under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 to have possession of a bladed article in a public place without “reasonable excuse”.
From July 2021, the Home Office announced changes to the law meaning it is also an offence to possess certain items, even in private, including zombie knives, shuriken or death stars, and knuckledusters.
A new legal definition of flick knives, banned since 1959, has also been brought in, resulting in more of these weapons being outlawed.
Anyone possessing one of the above offensive weapons can be sentenced to up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
“I want to thank the public for their support and for the officers and staff who have worked hard during the operations,” added Supt Edwards.
“I hope they see this as a really positive and direct way in which they can help keep their own communities safe.”