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24/05/2006
Nationwide knife amnesty begins
The first national knife amnesty for over 10 years has begun in the UK.
Until June 30, people will be given the chance to hand in knives without fear of prosecution.
A joint poster campaign by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers will also warn people about the dangers of carrying knives and encourage them to dispose of the knives during the amnesty.
The amnesty is supported by police forces in England and Wales. Scotland is also organising its own knife amnesty at the same time, while an initial three-week campaign has also been launched in Northern Ireland.
The campaign is designed to take knives and offensive weapons out of circulation and make communities safer.
During the amnesty, people will be able to dispose knives, as well as other bladed weapons such as machetes and meat cleavers, in specially designed secure red wheelie bins, placed in the public reception areas of most police stations.
Some police forces may also place the bins in churches, supermarkets, schools and youth clubs.
Weapons should be wrapped in card or paper before being placed in the bins.
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.
"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."
It is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority and the maximum penalty is two years imprisonment. Certain knives, such as flick-knives, are categorised as offensive weapons, possession of which, without lawful authority, carries a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment.
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, contains a number of measures aimed at tackling knife crime, including increasing the age at which knives can be sold from 16 to 18.
The last knife amnesty was held following the death of head teacher Philip Lawrence in 1995. He was stabbed to death outside his west London school in 1995.
The amnesty comes in the wake of a number of high profile killings involving knives, including the stabbing of 15-year-old Kiyan Price outside his school in north London last week, the killing of special constable Nisha Patel-Nasri outside her north London home earlier this month and the death of 18-year-old Christopher Alaneme in Kent in April.
(KMcA)
Until June 30, people will be given the chance to hand in knives without fear of prosecution.
A joint poster campaign by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers will also warn people about the dangers of carrying knives and encourage them to dispose of the knives during the amnesty.
The amnesty is supported by police forces in England and Wales. Scotland is also organising its own knife amnesty at the same time, while an initial three-week campaign has also been launched in Northern Ireland.
The campaign is designed to take knives and offensive weapons out of circulation and make communities safer.
During the amnesty, people will be able to dispose knives, as well as other bladed weapons such as machetes and meat cleavers, in specially designed secure red wheelie bins, placed in the public reception areas of most police stations.
Some police forces may also place the bins in churches, supermarkets, schools and youth clubs.
Weapons should be wrapped in card or paper before being placed in the bins.
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.
"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."
It is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority and the maximum penalty is two years imprisonment. Certain knives, such as flick-knives, are categorised as offensive weapons, possession of which, without lawful authority, carries a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment.
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, contains a number of measures aimed at tackling knife crime, including increasing the age at which knives can be sold from 16 to 18.
The last knife amnesty was held following the death of head teacher Philip Lawrence in 1995. He was stabbed to death outside his west London school in 1995.
The amnesty comes in the wake of a number of high profile killings involving knives, including the stabbing of 15-year-old Kiyan Price outside his school in north London last week, the killing of special constable Nisha Patel-Nasri outside her north London home earlier this month and the death of 18-year-old Christopher Alaneme in Kent in April.
(KMcA)
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08 February 2006
Clarke announces nationwide knife amnesty
A nationwide knives amnesty will be begin at the end of May, Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced. The amnesty, which will run between May 24 and June 30, will target those who carry knives and offensive weapons and urge them to hand the weapons in.
Clarke announces nationwide knife amnesty
A nationwide knives amnesty will be begin at the end of May, Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced. The amnesty, which will run between May 24 and June 30, will target those who carry knives and offensive weapons and urge them to hand the weapons in.
16 October 2008
Prison Does Not Put Teens Off Carrying Knives, Report Says
Teenagers believe they are more likely to be 'tagged' by the courts for carrying a knife, rather than have to face tough sentences, research has revealed. The report 'Why Carry A Weapon?' questioned a group of teens aged from 14 to 16 who had either been excluded from school or were serving time in custody.
Prison Does Not Put Teens Off Carrying Knives, Report Says
Teenagers believe they are more likely to be 'tagged' by the courts for carrying a knife, rather than have to face tough sentences, research has revealed. The report 'Why Carry A Weapon?' questioned a group of teens aged from 14 to 16 who had either been excluded from school or were serving time in custody.
14 July 2006
Knife amnesty makes streets safer
The Home Office has today revealed that a total of 89,864 knives were handed over during the National five week Knife Amnesty. During the period from May 24 until June 30, people were encouraged to dispose of their knives in secure bins at police stations throughout England and Wales.
Knife amnesty makes streets safer
The Home Office has today revealed that a total of 89,864 knives were handed over during the National five week Knife Amnesty. During the period from May 24 until June 30, people were encouraged to dispose of their knives in secure bins at police stations throughout England and Wales.
16 June 2006
Knife amnesty nets 17,700 edged weapons
A total of 17,715 edged weapons and a rocket launcher were among the items handed in during the first week of the national knives amnesty, the government announced today. As well as knives, the weapons surrendered to police forces across England and Wales include machetes, meat cleavers and axes.
Knife amnesty nets 17,700 edged weapons
A total of 17,715 edged weapons and a rocket launcher were among the items handed in during the first week of the national knives amnesty, the government announced today. As well as knives, the weapons surrendered to police forces across England and Wales include machetes, meat cleavers and axes.
10 June 2015
Knife Amnesty Launched In London
A month-long knife amnesty has been launched in Haringey in an ongoing crack down on knife crime. The amnesty begins today (Wednesday) and will run until Friday 09 July. Two 'weapon bins' will be made available for anyone to dispose of a knife or similar sharp weapon without being prosecuted for being in possession of them.
Knife Amnesty Launched In London
A month-long knife amnesty has been launched in Haringey in an ongoing crack down on knife crime. The amnesty begins today (Wednesday) and will run until Friday 09 July. Two 'weapon bins' will be made available for anyone to dispose of a knife or similar sharp weapon without being prosecuted for being in possession of them.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
