More than 100 knives surrendered during knife amnesty

More than 100 knives were surrendered in Hertfordshire during the latest Sceptre week of action against knife crime, which concluded on Sunday 17 November.

More than 100 knives were surrendered in Hertfordshire during the latest Sceptre week of action against knife crime, which concluded on Sunday 17 November.

A knife amnesty began on Monday 11 November as part of the national Sceptre campaign, a week of action to address knife crime. The regular weeks of action provide a great opportunity to raise awareness and share advice about the risks of carrying a knife in public.

During the week 117 knives were surrendered across the county, surrendered anonymously in bins placed around Hertfordshire.

Officers held engagement events with young people in schools and public areas and visited to retailers to ensure they are adhering to legal restrictions on selling knives to those aged under 18. Knife detection operations, including covert and high visibility patrols and knife searches in public areas were also conducted at locations across Hertfordshire.

The constabulary’s Child Criminal Exploitation Prevention and Diversion Team were also out working with students across the county, presenting interactive workshops using virtual reality headsets! The headset software placed the students in gang and knife crime scenarios, where they had to choose from multiple decisions which lead to positive or negative outcomes depending on their choices.

Inspector Ben Harper, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Community Safety Unit, said: “Following on from the law change, which now makes possession of zombie knives illegal, this was another opportunity for anyone who still had knives they shouldn’t have to surrender them anonymously.

“As part of our activities we conducted survey to understand local people’s views on knife crime. More than 135 people completed the survey and as part of our Prevention First approach we’ll digest the feedback and use it to develop our plans to further force down knife possession and associated crime in Hertfordshire. We are constantly working with our young people in schools and colleges to help them make positive life choices, so they understand the dangers knives pose, as well as ensuring that knives are not readily available, whether online, in shops or passed around in the community.”   

If you would like further information on support services relating to knife crime contact: Fearless.org.

You can report information about knife crime online or speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.