#DropTheKnife – how amnesties and knife sweeps help prevent knife crime
0“Prevention is better than cure” – that’s our officers’ perspective when it comes to the important work being done around knife crime.
Officers are out and about across the county this week – conducting knife sweeps and hosting amnesties as part of Operation Sceptre, the national week of intensification around knife crime.
This is part of the work we do all year round to ensure we keep levels of knife crime low in Derbyshire.
PCSO Heather Pierpoint and the Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood team were out at West Park on Tuesday (14 May) conducting one of these sweeps.
She said: “The highlight is on preventing knife crime and highlighting the importance of the information surrounding knife crime.
“But it is part of the work we do all year round and, obviously, we find especially as a Safer Neighbourhood Team that prevention is much better than the cure.
“I’m very happy to be here – regardless of the weather – and I know the team are as well.”
PCSO Natalie Lester, from the Buxton team, brought out the metal detector today (Wednesday 15 May) during her visit to Ashwood Park.
She said: “We’ve been taking out the metal detector to see if we can find any sharps, knives, things like that in places like these parks, anywhere they might have been thrown away.
“It’s a brilliant bit of kit really. It’s very sensitive, it can pick up all sorts, but yes it’s very valuable using it in our hunt for knives.”
As you may see officers out and about, we thought we’d give you some more information about the work they’re doing.
What is a knife sweep?
This is where officers visit a specific area – very often parks and recreation grounds with hidden spaces – and do a thorough search for knives or any sharp object which could potentially pose a risk.
What happens if something is found?
If we find a knife, or sharp object, we contain it and take it away to be stored safely. If we have reason to believe something we’ve found has been used in a crime, we will conduct further enquiries and investigate.
Are these based on intelligence?
Sometimes they are – and other times it is simply a preventative measure and an opportunity for engagement with people we come across. Particularly during the Op Sceptre campaign, we try to cover as many parks / areas as possible in every area of the county, so it isn’t always the case that we’re conducting a sweep because there is a particular issue or information.
What is the amnesty?
The amnesty is an opportunity for people to freely hand in their unused or unwanted knives. This helps ensure they are stored safely and don’t fall into the wrong hands.
What if a knife handed in has been used in a crime?
Whilst the idea of the amnesty is to be able to hand it in without fear or questions, we have a responsibility. If we suspect a knife or other object handed in has been used in a crime, officers will still investigate and it does not necessarily offer a ‘get out of jail free’ card.
Where can I find my local amnesty bin this week?
You can find a current list on our website: LINK
Your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams will also be updating their dedicated Facebook pages, so you can keep up to date with the latest information on there.
What do I do if I missed the amnesty?
Information and advice on disposing of old kitchen knives can be found here: A to Z guide on waste - K - Derbyshire County Council
You can also call 101 for further information