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24/05/2006
Knife crime 'disposal' campaign launched
A major campaign aimed at tackling knife crime in Northern Ireland has been launched in Belfast today.
The campaign, which starts with an initial three-week amnesty period, is urging people to place knives in special collection bins set up at amenity sites throughout Northern Ireland.
Last year's provisional figures indicate that approximately 1,200 knife related crimes were reported to police compared with 984 incidents the previous year.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson MP said: "Today the Government, in partnership with the PSNI, Policing Board and others, is signalling our commitment to confronting knife crime in Northern Ireland.
"It is vital that everyone takes this opportunity to dispose of knives in a safe and secure way. Every knife handed in during the amnesty will be a knife that can't be used in crime; therefore I would particularly urge anyone who is in possession of a knife that is not being held for a legitimate reason to hand it in during the period of the amnesty.
"In addition to the amnesty the Government will extend legislation to Northern Ireland which raises the legal age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18 years old. This will take effect from later this summer.
"Knife crime is unacceptable and has left too many families devastated in Northern Ireland. These measures will help tackle the problem in Northern Ireland and I call on everyone to give the campaign their full support."
The knife amnesty will start today and will run initially for three weeks, will run alongside a national campaign in England and Wales.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said: "Knife crime and a series of tragic events involving knives have been well documented recently. We hope that with the launch of this campaign today we can help tackle the problem together and discourage young people from carrying knives. Our message is clear - never carry a knife, knives take lives.
"Robust police enforcement will coincide with this amnesty. Following legislative changes police will have a targeted 'arrest and charge' policy against those caught carrying a knife for unlawful reasons.
"We will work with our partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that possession or use of a knife is given its full weight in court prosecutions.
"In addition to the disposal scheme/amnesty, a public information campaign will run over the course of the next 12 months.
"An education package will be introduced to post primary schools across Northern Ireland and officers from each of the 29 DCUs have been specially trained to deliver awareness classes. A lesson plan and accompanying material will also be available for teachers"
The initiative will be backed by an extensive year-long advertising campaign.
The Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea, said knife crime was "unacceptable" and urged everyone to support the campaign.
He said: "Many of our young people think it is acceptable to carry a knife. For many of them, a knife is a status symbol, something that makes them more acceptable to their peers. For others, it is seen as a form of protection, but nothing can protect them from the consequences of carrying or using a knife. The fact is that knives are dangerous - people do get hurt and lives and communities can be ruined."
Specially designated bins are located in civic amenity sites across Northern Ireland and any knives for disposal should be wrapped in either cardboard or paper and disposed of safely.
A helpline telephone number will operate during office hours for the duration of this campaign - 028 9090 1252.
(SP/KMcA)
The campaign, which starts with an initial three-week amnesty period, is urging people to place knives in special collection bins set up at amenity sites throughout Northern Ireland.
Last year's provisional figures indicate that approximately 1,200 knife related crimes were reported to police compared with 984 incidents the previous year.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson MP said: "Today the Government, in partnership with the PSNI, Policing Board and others, is signalling our commitment to confronting knife crime in Northern Ireland.
"It is vital that everyone takes this opportunity to dispose of knives in a safe and secure way. Every knife handed in during the amnesty will be a knife that can't be used in crime; therefore I would particularly urge anyone who is in possession of a knife that is not being held for a legitimate reason to hand it in during the period of the amnesty.
"In addition to the amnesty the Government will extend legislation to Northern Ireland which raises the legal age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18 years old. This will take effect from later this summer.
"Knife crime is unacceptable and has left too many families devastated in Northern Ireland. These measures will help tackle the problem in Northern Ireland and I call on everyone to give the campaign their full support."
The knife amnesty will start today and will run initially for three weeks, will run alongside a national campaign in England and Wales.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said: "Knife crime and a series of tragic events involving knives have been well documented recently. We hope that with the launch of this campaign today we can help tackle the problem together and discourage young people from carrying knives. Our message is clear - never carry a knife, knives take lives.
"Robust police enforcement will coincide with this amnesty. Following legislative changes police will have a targeted 'arrest and charge' policy against those caught carrying a knife for unlawful reasons.
"We will work with our partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that possession or use of a knife is given its full weight in court prosecutions.
"In addition to the disposal scheme/amnesty, a public information campaign will run over the course of the next 12 months.
"An education package will be introduced to post primary schools across Northern Ireland and officers from each of the 29 DCUs have been specially trained to deliver awareness classes. A lesson plan and accompanying material will also be available for teachers"
The initiative will be backed by an extensive year-long advertising campaign.
The Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea, said knife crime was "unacceptable" and urged everyone to support the campaign.
He said: "Many of our young people think it is acceptable to carry a knife. For many of them, a knife is a status symbol, something that makes them more acceptable to their peers. For others, it is seen as a form of protection, but nothing can protect them from the consequences of carrying or using a knife. The fact is that knives are dangerous - people do get hurt and lives and communities can be ruined."
Specially designated bins are located in civic amenity sites across Northern Ireland and any knives for disposal should be wrapped in either cardboard or paper and disposed of safely.
A helpline telephone number will operate during office hours for the duration of this campaign - 028 9090 1252.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 September 2006
Minister pledges to tackle NI knife culture
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson is to announce a re-run of the knife amnesty in Northern Ireland later this year.
Minister pledges to tackle NI knife culture
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson is to announce a re-run of the knife amnesty in Northern Ireland later this year.
20 November 2006
Second knife amnesty gets underway
The PSNI has today welcomed the government's announcement to run a second knife amnesty across Northern Ireland and the change in legislation to raise the age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18-years-old.
Second knife amnesty gets underway
The PSNI has today welcomed the government's announcement to run a second knife amnesty across Northern Ireland and the change in legislation to raise the age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18-years-old.
15 December 2008
Woman Arrested After Fatal Omagh Stabbing
A 36-year-old woman has been arrested following a fatal stabbing in Omagh this morning. The incident happened at a house in the Hospital Road area of the town. It is believed the 37-year-old victim, who had been stabbed, died from his injuries. Police have said the attack took place shortly after 3am.
Woman Arrested After Fatal Omagh Stabbing
A 36-year-old woman has been arrested following a fatal stabbing in Omagh this morning. The incident happened at a house in the Hospital Road area of the town. It is believed the 37-year-old victim, who had been stabbed, died from his injuries. Police have said the attack took place shortly after 3am.
07 June 2006
NI knife crime on the increase
Knife killings in Northern Ireland have doubled since the 1998 Good Friday agreement, a report by the PSNI has today revealed. The report, by PSNI analytical director Mark Evans, also revealed that there have been more than three violent incidents involving knives every day in the last six months.
NI knife crime on the increase
Knife killings in Northern Ireland have doubled since the 1998 Good Friday agreement, a report by the PSNI has today revealed. The report, by PSNI analytical director Mark Evans, also revealed that there have been more than three violent incidents involving knives every day in the last six months.
22 June 2006
Almost 900 blades received in NI knife amnesty
The Northern Ireland knife amnesty has resulted in a total of 886 knives being handed in to authorities. The weapons were handed into council sites during the three-week amnesty, which was organised by the PSNI between May 24 and June 14.
Almost 900 blades received in NI knife amnesty
The Northern Ireland knife amnesty has resulted in a total of 886 knives being handed in to authorities. The weapons were handed into council sites during the three-week amnesty, which was organised by the PSNI between May 24 and June 14.
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