Surrender bins set up to fight knife offences
SURRENDER bins have been made available in Runcorn and Widnes after it was revealed the two towns were among the four areas worst affected by knife crime in the county.
The initiative is part of ‘Operation Sceptre’, taking place from February 12 to 18.
Cheshire police have revealed some of the blades already seized by officers to give an idea of the weapons being taken off the streets.
These include an array of combat, kitchen and hunting knives as well as two short swords and a machete.
The Weekly News revealed Freedom Of Information data in September last year that showed 43 knives had been seized in Runcorn in 2017 to the end of August, nearly double the 22 seized in Widnes.
The other worst affected towns in Cheshire are Ellesmere Port and Macclesfield.
A Cheshire police spokesman said the week’s focus has been on targeting carriers of knives who think it is okay to do so in public.
Stop and search is also taking place, he said, and family and friends have been urged to report anyone carrying weapons as this could save a life.
Officers are also keen to clarify the law about blades for anyone in any doubt and the spokesman said Trading Standards and Crimestoppers will participate in the scheme.
The surrender bins at Runcorn and Widnes police station are open from February 12- 19.
Cheshire has the ninth lowest knife crime rate of the 42 police forces in the UK excluding the City Of London and British Transport Police.
David Keane, Police And Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Carrying a knife is a crime which brings that added risk that a minor issue can escalate into something much more serious and potentially life changing.
“The damage caused by knives, not just to the victim and their families, but also to the wider community, can be devastating. No-one deserves to live in fear of knife crime and we will be using intelligence to target certain areas.
“We are keen to reach out to members of the public who may have information about knife carriers, and I would encourage anyone with information to have the confidence to come forward and report it.”
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Sacha Hatchett said: “The law is quite simple, it is illegal to have a knife in your possession in a public place without a reason and if you break that law you could face a prison sentence.
“We will be supporting our colleagues nationally as part of Operation Sceptre and officers will be using their stop and search powers.
“We will have increased visibility in the areas with the highest number of ● ● recorded incidents.
“Officers will also be working to stop the sale of knives to under-18s.
“This is a warning that we take all crimes involving knives in Cheshire extremely seriously.”
Retailers have been asked to enact ‘robust controls’ of the sales of items such as kitchen knives.
Anyone with any information about carrying knives is urged to call Cheshire police on 101 or alternatively provide anonymously to Crimestoppers on 101.