Knife amnesty bins will be placed in key North Yorkshire Police stations as part of an operation tackling knife crime.
Operation Sceptre starts today (Monday) and will see co-ordinated activity to deal with the root causes of knife-enabled crime and violence.
Knife amnesty bins will be placed in police stations, with members of the public urged to dispose of any unwanted knives safely.
Wrap them in thick paper or cardboard as a safety precaution, and take them to York (Fulford Road), Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Richmond, Harrogate or Skipton Police Stations.
You can simply deposit the knife in the bin, without having to give your name or any other details.
Police will also be taking “robust enforcement” and “preventative work emphasising that there are no positives to carrying a knife”.
Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “Just one knife can result in a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.
“The victims of knife crime are not only those who may lose their lives, but also the families and friends of both victims and offenders, who have to deal with the long-lasting consequences.
“Tackling the causes of knife crime is complex, and the police cannot do it alone. We’ll be working closely with schools, retailers, charities and many other partners. It’s through joint work with these organisations that we can really deliver change.”
Officers will be visiting local schools to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.
They’ll highlight the risks and consequences of carrying a knife – and a criminal record can stop you being accepted into college or university, getting a job you want, or travelling to countries like the USA, Canada or Australia.
Det Supt Naughton said: “If you are worried about someone carrying a knife, tell a family member, a teacher or youth worker, a police officer, or report it to the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
“To those who – despite everything – think it’s OK to carry a knife, the message is simple: we will not tolerate it, and you will end up facing significant consequences if you continue to carry one.”
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