Think twice before carrying a knife

• Face a four year prison sentence.
• Get a criminal record.
• Ruin you employment prospects.
• Be excluded from education.
• Be banned from travelling to some countries, including the United States.

Superintendent Mike Smith said: “Before you take the decision to carry a knife think about the consequences. These are just the consequences to you; the biggest consequence could come if you decide to use the knife and someone ends up getting seriously hurt or worse.

“People who carry knives make a conscious decision to do so. There is no excuse and no defence in court if you use it to commit a crime.”

On Monday, 26 April, the force launched a week long knife surrender initiative aimed at making Warwickshire’s streets safer by encouraging people to hand their weapons in anonymously at a police station.

Knife bins are located at the following police stations:

• Leamington Spa
• Nuneaton
• Rugby

Anyone can surrender a knife at one of these bins until Sunday, 2 May.

People surrendering knives will not be required to leave any information but if police suspect a weapon may have been involved in a crime they will examine it for evidence.

Possession of a knife carries can carry a prison sentence of up to four years. If you stab someone and they die you face a life sentence serving a minimum of 25 years.