Knife crime
Tackling knife crime
While knife crime remains low in Hertfordshire, in comparison to other parts of the country, we are committed to doing everything we can to tackle serious violence by working hard closely with our partner agencies and other organisations to ensure our county is safe and feels safe.
Hertfordshire Constabulary run activties throughout the year to reduce knife related crime to ensure residents can feel safer in their community. This work forms part of Sceptre, the national knife crime reduction campaign.
Our officers undertake a range of activities including targeted operations, engagement and education to reassure young people they are safer not carrying knives, and to walk away from harm.
Knife surrenders/amnesties
A national knife amnesty will take place for a week from 18 May 2026. Further information will appear on this page.
Outside of any knife amnesties, kives can be deposited in the permanent surrender bins around the county details are listed below.
Regular kitchen knives should be wrapped up and taken to recycling centres (opens in a new window).
Permanent knife bin addresses
Broxbourne
- Dinant Road (underpass from Stanstead Road) Hoddesdon
Dacorum
- Queensway car park, Hemel Hempstead. HP1 1HR.
East Herts
- Link Road, Bishop's Stortford. CM23 2ES.
Hertsmere
- Civic Offices car park, Borehamwood, WD6 1TJ.
North Herts
- Arena Parade car park, Letchworth, SG6 3BX.
Stevenage
- Fire Station, St Georges Way, Stevenage, SG1 1HS.
- Church Lane South car park, Old Town, Stevenage
St Albans
- Bricket Road car park, St Albans, AL1 3JT.
Three Rivers
- Station Approach rear car park, South Oxhey, WD19 7DT.
Waltham Cross
Bins provided by Word4Weapons located away from CCTV helping you to remain anonymous.
- Monarchs Way, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN8.
- Theobalds Train Station in Waltham Cross
Watford
- Footpath between Shaftsbury Road and Beechen Grove, Watford, WD17 2NJ.
Welwyn Hatfield
- Fretherne Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6NS.
Our response
Our message to those who carry a knife, or are thinking of carrying one, is 'LIVES NOT KNIVES', carrying a knife does not protect you. It only adds to your vulnerability, placing you in dangerous situations, and at risk of serious harm, not to mention the legal consequences of being found in possession of one.
Knives destroy lives, altogether affecting you, people who love you, your family and the wider community.
Hertfordshire Constabulary has a number of measures to help tackle knife crime. These include dedicated units, such as the Child Criminal Exploitation Prevention and Diversion team, working with young people in schools; proactive and intelligence-led activity in response to the needs of communities; stop and search.
Enforcement alone will not tackle the root causes of why people become involved in violent crimes and knife crime. Across our county, we collaborate with partners including councils, schools, colleges, youth agencies, businesses such as clubs and bars, the British Transport Police, Crimestoppers, and Hertfordshire Trading Standards to help keep our communities safe.
We also work with local retailers to ensure they are aware of the law which prohibits the sale of knives to anyone aged under 18 years. We carry out test purchase operations with police cadets to ensure the rules are followed.