Police reveal haul of knives handed in during surrender
A TOTAL of 106 knives were handed in to Lancashire police in just one week.
The weapons were handed over as part of the constabulary’s week long surrender, which ran from February 12-19. An area breakdown was recorded by police, and 27 knives were handed in from Skelmersdale, Chorley and Preston.
The area with the most weapons given up was Blackburn, Nelson and Burnley – with 64 – and 29 knives were collected in Blackpool, Fleetwood and Morecambe. The force held the surrender as part of a national initiative to tackle knife crime and to remove weapons from Lancashire’s streets.
Among the weapons given up were combat knives, kitchen knives and large blades.
All blades collected by officers will now safely disposed of.
As part of the initiative, test purchasing operations were carried out, using volunteers to check on businesses selling knives or blades.
The majority of premises around the county were compliant and the few that failed are now working with officers and trading standards to resolve the issues, improve their standards and amend the training that staff receive.
Despite the surrender coming to an end, police say that people can continue to hand in any knife at any police station.
Ch Insp Mark Baines police, said: “I would still like to appeal to those who are in possession of a knife, that carrying a knife doesn’t offer them protection, and not only is being in possession of a knife in a public place a criminal offence, but that people are also more likely to be stabbed and seriously injured with their own weapon.”