Amnesty to get danger knives off our streets
WEST Lancashire residents can surrender dangerous knives anonymously under an amnesty by Lancashire police.
The amnesty, declared earlier this week, gives people the chance to surrender weapons anonymously at seven stations, including two in Skelmersdale.
It comes two months after a man was airlifted to hospital after being stabbed in the shoulder in a broad daylight attack at Carfield.
The week-long surrender runs until Monday, September 24 and is part of Operation Sceptre, a move to remove dangerous weapons from the street, reduce knife crime and raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.
More than 100 knives were handed in during the last amnesty in February.
Ch Insp Mark Baines, Lancashire police’s coordinator for the knife surrender, said: “While knife crime is not a major problem in the county, a knife is a lethal weapon – even one on Lancashire’s streets is one too many.
“During our last campaign in February, 106 knives were surrendered. Among the weapons given up were combat knives, kitchen knives and large blades.
“I hope that our communities will again help us to remove such items and help to keep everyone safe.
“If anyone is in possession of a knife and is unsure what to do about it, I would urge them to take this opportunity to dispose of it anonymously and safely.
“In particular, I want to appeal to youngsters who may be tempted to carry a knife because they believe it offers them protection. Having a knife in a public place is a criminal offence, with young people more likely to be stabbed and seriously injured with their own weapon.
“I would also ask people to provide us with information about knife crime in their area.
“If you know your partner regularly carries or uses such weapons, please encourage them to hand these weapons in over the next week without fear of prosecution.
“Don’t run the risk of ending up with a criminal record, a life-changing or even worse a potentially fatal injury.”
The force also moved to assure residents that its zero tolerance policy towards possession of knives in public would continue throughout the amnesty and that anyone caught carrying one, unless clearly travelling to a police station, will face the usual punishment.
There will be special bins at five designated police stations across the county, plus one each at Tanhouse and Digmoor Community Stations. Those five are Burnley, Greenbank (Blackburn), Preston, Morecambe and Nelson.
Anyone will be able to anonymously dispose of a weapon, whether it belongs to them, a friend or a relative.
Any knives or offensive weapons which are too large for the bins can be handed in at the front counters at the designated police stations, and people are asked to ensure the knives are wrapped in newspaper, cardboard or tape before they are dropped in the bins or handed in.