ay 24, 2006 04:44 ET
TURN IN YOUR KNIFE BEFORE IT'S TURNED ON YOU
London, 24 MAY/GNN/ --
HOME OFFICE News Release (077/2006) issued by The Government News Network on 24 May 2006
The first national knife amnesty for over 10 years begins today as people in England and Wales are encouraged to hand over their knives to their local police.
Until 30 June people are being given the chance to bin their knives and avoid prosecution. In a joint poster campaign, the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) will warn people about the dangers of carrying knives and encourage them to dispose of their knives in specially designed secure red wheelie bins.
Every police force in England and Wales will take part in the National Knife Amnesty, with Scotland organising its own amnesty at the same time. The campaign is designed to take knives and offensive weapons out of circulation and make communities safer.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"The message of this campaign is simple - if you think you're protecting yourself by carrying a knife, you're not. Too many people think that carrying a knife will make them safer but the reality is quite the opposite as they run the real risk of having the knife turned back on them.
"Every weapon handed in is a weapon that can't be used in crime. I want to see people recognising the dangers of carrying a knife and using this opportunity to dispose of it before the police take action against them.
"Ordinary law-abiding citizens don't want to see their communities blighted by violence. Neither do we. We are working across Government to reduce crime and reduce the fear of crime through legislation, law enforcement and closer working with communities. The knife amnesty will help us achieve that."
Ian Johnston, ACPO spokesman on crime and Chief Constable of British Transport Police, said:
"Knives are very dangerous and it is unlawful to carry them for protection. People have been seriously injured or killed by knives in circumstances where those convicted state they had no intention of hurting anyone. Our message is simple - don't carry knives for protection; it is unlawful and it is dangerous.
"We will be working with our communities to take as many knives off the street as possible during the amnesty. During the campaign we will also be targeting operations to identify those unlawfully carrying knives with a view to prosecuting them. Help us to help you make our communities safer. Taking knives out of circulation will definitely contribute to this."
The police will continue to carry out intelligence-led enforcement work to crack down on knife carrying and knife assisted crime. Only those people carrying knives to bins will be immune from prosecution.
Carrying knives is illegal and can result in up to four years in prison.
Notes to editors:
1) Current legislation:
* It is an offence to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority, with the exception of a folding pocket-knife with a blade not exceeding three inches. Those found guilty face a penalty of up to two years imprisonment. Possession of an offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse carries a maximum penalty of 4 years imprisonment.
Certain knives, such as flick-knives, are categorised as offensive weapons.
* Manufacture, sale and importation of 17 bladed, pointed and other offensive weapons have been banned, in addition to flick knives and gravity knives. This includes stealth knives, disguised knives and batons which were banned in 2002 and 2004.
* It is an offence to market a knife in a way which indicates that it is suitable for combat, or is otherwise likely to stimulate violent behaviour. The police have powers to stop and search for knives and offensive weapons, in certain circumstances.
2) The Violent Crime Reduction Bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, contains measures which:
* increase the age at which a person can be sold a knife from 16 to 18;
* introduce powers for head teachers to search pupils for knives and offensive weapons;
* create a new offence of using another person to mind a weapon, and includes an aggravating factor on sentencing if the person involved is a child.
3) The Government supports the work of the police in tackling knife crime, particularly through dedicated operations, such as Operation Blunt run by the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police's Operation Shield. These operations include education, community engagement and the use of technology for detecting knives.
4) The Connected Fund was set up in May 2004 to provide grants for small community groups. Now in its fourth bidding round, the Fund has supported more than 150 local groups working on gun crime, knife crime and issues with gangs. Many of the projects work with young people, providing diversionary activities, education and training, peer mentoring and other support.
5) In addition to the Connected Fund, we have used recycled criminal assets to support local projects through the Government Offices for the Regions. A total of £2 million was allocated in 2004-05 and a further £2 million in £2005-06.
6)The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, co-ordinates the strategic policing response.
7) ACPO's 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus national agencies such as the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.
8)The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7227 3406/3425 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).
A....amnesty for knives!
I'd be offended!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax
Bookmarks