Hertfordshire to take part in national knife crime campaign

Hertfordshire to take part in national knife crime campaign

Hertfordshire Constabulary will conduct a week of action to combat knife crime between Monday 17 and Sunday 23 November as part of Sceptre, a national knife crime initiative. 

Knife related crime remains low in Hertfordshire, compared to other parts of the country, but the campaign aims to raise awareness that carrying a knife is illegal and will not help to keep you safe. 

As part of the initiative the constabulary will be carrying out activities aimed at reducing knife crime, including conducting knife detection operations and talking to retailers to ensure knives are not sold to those under 18 years of age. The campaign will also include messages and advice to educate young people, via school visits and social media, about the dangers of carrying a knife. 

During the campaign, any knives in your possession that you do not want or should not have, can be surrendered at one of the following police stations: Hatfield, Stevenage or Watford. There will also be temporary knife bins in locations around the county and there are permanent surrender bins in Waltham Cross, details of which can be found here: www.herts.police.uk/amnesty.

Items can be surrendered anonymously during the amnesty in the knife bins provided, including recently banned zombie knives and machetes. The locations and opening times of the police stations can be found here: www.herts.police.uk/stations.

Chief Inspector Pete Frost, who is leading on the operational activity for Sceptre, said: “Knife crime remains low in the county, but we regularly run these weeks of action, along with our policing partners across the country as part of a continuing effort to drive down knife crime. 

“We have been focussing on knife crime over recent months, as part of the visit of the Knife Angel’s visit, and as part of its legacy we want to continue to keep this issue fresh in resident’s minds. 

“We will continue to talk about knife crime, speaking to our young people and targeting those that think carrying one is the answer. Taking knives out of circulation, especially those that are now illegal such as zombie knives, machetes and ninja swords is a step in the right direction.”

If you are concerned or have information about someone carrying knives or are aware of anyone involved in knife crime you can report this by calling the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101. 

You can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report or speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat, which can be launched here: herts.police.uk/contact.

Join our community messaging platform Herts Connected where you will receive free local police messages. You can also choose to receive messages from Neighbourhood Watch, Action Fraud and the Police and Crime Commissioner if that’s what you select when you sign up. 

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. 

If you would like further information on support services relating to knife crime contact Fearless.org.