Hertfordshire to take part in national knife crime campaign

Hertfordshire Constabulary will conduct a week of action to combat knife crime between Monday 18 and Sunday 24 May 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 are also new permanent knife surrender bins installed across the county as part of the Knife Angel initiative 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.

Superintendent Chris Hay, 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 the last year, following the Knife Angel’s visit, and as part of its legacy we intend to continue to keep this issue fresh in people’s minds and as part of that a knife sculpture has been created for Hertfordshire and can be seen in Hatfield town centre. 

“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.

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 www.fearless.org.