A knife amnesty has been launched today, 12th February.
From 12th-18th February, members of the public will be able dispose knives and at designated police stations without fear of prosecution.
This includes knives, “zombie” knives, swords, kitchen knives, lock knives, unwanted collectibles, replicas and ceremonial items and any unwanted bladed weapon.
All police enquiry offices which are open to the public will have collection bins in which members of the public can deposit items anonymously. These are located at Plymouth, Crownhill; Plymouth, Charles Cross; St Austell, Palace Road; Truro, Pydar Street; Bodmin, Tollgate Road; Camborne, South Terrace; Barnstaple, North Walk; Exeter, Heavitree Road and Torquay, South Street.
Please check opening times and location map on the Devon & Cornwall Police website here: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/police-enquiry-offices
Chief Superintendent Glen Mayhew, Commander of the Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police Alliance operations department, said: “Our message is clear. There is no excuse for carrying a knife. There are plenty of sad incidents across the country where someone has produced a knife in the heat of the moment, with the intention of it being more symbolically threatening than as a weapon, but who have come off worse because of it. We can prevent such injuries and deaths by taking knives off the street.”
“Any knife or bladed article carried for anything other than legitimate reasons is not only illegal but dangerous so if you don’t need it or don’t have a good reason for carrying it then bin it. Getting these items out of circulation is important and this is an opportunity to ensure we all contribute to removing these items from the streets.”
The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is 4 years in prison and an unlimited fine. You’ll get a prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife more than once.
Guidance on basic laws on knives, banned knives and weapons and good reasons for carrying a knife can be found on the Government’s website here:www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
Advice for young people aged 11-14 about carrying weapons can be found here: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/youth/11-14/yrspace/weapons
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