The public are this week being reminded that a knife amnesty bin is in place at Oxclose Lane Police Station as part of national efforts to deter knife crime.
The bin allows people to dispose of knives or offensive weapons safely without fear of being prosecuted.
The reminder is part of a week of action taking place until Sunday (19) where police showcase measures in place to tackle knife crime.
Operation Sceptre takes place twice a year – in May and November – and a range of initiatives led by the county’s neighbourhood policing teams have been planned including different public engagement events and the deployment of metal-detecting knife arches.
Overall knife crime offences have dropped by 2% in the county, when comparing the year ending March 2024 with the year ending March 2023.
Chief Inspector Karl Thomas, Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime lead, said: “Sceptre offers a great opportunity for us to educate more people about the dangers associated with carrying a knife by shining a light on this important topic.
“That decision to pick up a knife can have catastrophic consequences which could ruin or even end lives, so getting these lessons across at an early stage are vital to helping prevent this from happening.
“Our specialist school early intervention officers regularly attend schools and colleges to deliver sessions on knife crime to young people, and these visits will be stepped up throughout the week of action.
“We’ll also be rolling out 13 amnesty bins in total across the community for people to dispose of weapons without fear of reprisal.
“While I understand some people will have some concerns about going into a police station and using an amnesty bin, please rest assured that you won’t get into trouble if you do so – this is not a trick.
“This initiative has directly led to us seizing hundreds of unwanted blades in the past, with this success encouraging us to enhance this offering by setting up permanent amnesty bins inside four of our stations for use all year-round too.
“Whether it’s through the daily patrols of our dedicated knife crime teams or school visits, we already do so much work, along with our partners, to take weapons off our streets and stop them from getting there in the first place.
“Sceptre offers merely a sample of some of this, but anything that can be done to raise awareness about knife crime is incredibly important, so we’re proud to support this national campaign.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “Sceptre is a fantastic way of highlighting the great work that goes on all year-round in Nottinghamshire to stop people carrying knives.
“The campaign is crucial in educating those who may be considering taking a weapon out with them and emphasising the fact that carrying a knife does not protect you, it simply increases the level of danger for you and those around you.
“The amnesty bins provide a safe space to dispose of knives without the worry of facing prosecution while helping to make Nottinghamshire a safer place for all.”
Good as two many nives in Arnold. It is our capital and our london and tourists will be put off if they see nives out in our town. Put them away and let visitors feel relaxed and spend money in our wonderful town
As if they are really going to hand them in, I doubt it