Police urge people to speak out on knife crime as part of a week of action

Warwickshire Police is urging local people to speak out on knife crime and challenge friends and relatives who carry knives.

This is part of Operation Sceptre, a national campaign that raises awareness of the consequences of carrying a knife and aims to get knives off the streets.

Throughout the week (14-20 November) people can anonymously surrender knives in bins at police stations in Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Stratford. Please see opening times for the stations below.

Throughout the week local policing teams will be running events aimed at raising awareness of knife crime.

Warwickshire Police is also urging people to have difficult conversations about the dangers and consequences that come with carrying a knife.

Chief Inspector Karen Jones, safer neighbourhood lead for the county, said: “During the campaign we are appealing to people who are concerned that a friend or relative might be carrying a knife. 

“It can be difficult for people to understand why someone they care about chooses to carry a knife.

“While it might feel uncomfortable, it is important you take action and have a difficult conversation with them. The consequences of not doing so could be terrible.

“Most of the time they will be carrying a knife out of fear, even if they don’t admit it and will be grateful to be offered a way out.

“Telling someone’s parent that their child is carrying a knife or telling a police officers is so much better than the alternative, which could be seeing them stab someone or seeing them get stabbed.

“There’s plenty of support available to help you have these conversations, so please do it before it is too late.”

If you are worried and want help to keep either a young person or yourself safe, you can contact the following organisations:

• Childline counsellors can support young people 24 hours a day, you can call them on 0800 1111.
• The Prince’s Trust can help provide support and opportunities for young people.
• Always call 999 if you are worried someone is at risk. The police are there to help and keep you safe.

Opening office opening times during the week of Operation Sceptre

Front offices will be open 8am-6pm on the following days.

Stratford

Thursday 17^th and Sunday 20^th

Rugby

Thursday 17^th and Sunday 20^th

Leamington

Thursday 17th -Sunday 20th

Nuneaton

Every day

Posted by SC, Corporate Communications