Anyone worried about being stopped with lethal weapons such as samurai swords on their way to surrender them during a week-long amnesty should considering telling Cambridgeshire police in advance. The advice was given by Policing Peterborough in response to queries as the amnesty kicked off today.
A member of the public asked on the Policing Peterborough Facebook page: “How do you transport a Samurai sword to the police station without being noticed?”
Police responded by posting: “You could make us aware of your intention to attend by completing this form.
“Please include specific date and time. https://www.cambs.police.uk/…/contact-us-about…/
“Should you have concerns regarding transporting the sword, then please call us on 101 and we can offer advice.”
One post said someone they knew had a weapon to hand in “but he doesn’t want to take the risk of being potentially caught with a dealt weapon and ending up with a criminal record!
Policing Peterborough said in the city itself there are amnesty bins at Thorpe Wood Police Station.
“Please make use of them to dispose of knives and other items such as knuckle dusters, extendable batons and curved swords that are now illegal to own,” said a police spokesperson.
“If you think a friend or family member might carry a weapon, please speak to them about the amnesty. By disposing of the weapon, they are making themselves safer and they also eliminate the very real risk of being prosecuted.”
Read more about the amnesty and knife crime week of action on the Cambridgeshire Police website: https://orlo.uk/weapons_amnesty_rHgpV
As well as knives, the amnesty will cover items such as knuckledusters, extendable batons, curved swords, and zombie knives that have been made illegal to own.
In Cambridge there are amnesty bins at Parkside Police Station.
There will also be amnesty bins at the Community Hub in Pathfinder Way, Northstowe, South Cambridgeshire on Sunday, 19 November, from 12pm – 2pm.
The weapons amnesty forms part of the national ‘Operation Sceptre’ week of action. It will also include extra police patrols in ‘hotspot’ areas, targeting those believed to be carrying knives, work in schools and with retailers selling knives. The week will be supported by officers, Specials, and police cadets.
In the last year possession of knife offences decreased in Cambridgeshire by 5 per cent.
Inspector Karl Secker said: “Nearly 300 weapons were handed in during our last amnesty in May. We were really pleased with the results, but it also shows there is a continued need to provide people with an opportunity to surrender items.
“These regular amnesties form part of our ongoing strategy to tackle knife crime. They offer people the chance to dispose of weapons responsibly and without being prosecuted.
“It’s important we use multiple tactics to combat knife crime, which is why we’re also engaging with young people, targeting habitual knife carriers, and conducting extra patrols in key areas.
“We need the community to help us address the issue. If you know someone who carries a weapon, please encourage them to make use of the amnesty next week. By disposing of it, they will be safer, as well as removing the risk of being prosecuted.”
Visit the Stop knife crime page for more information on knife crime and to access a list of the banned items.
