Nuneaton - More than 80 knives taken off the streets during week of action

Eighty-one knives were surrendered at Nuneaton Police Station as part of a week of a week of action tackling knife crime.

Operation Sceptre is a national campaign that takes place twice a year that aims to reduce knife crime and raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife.

During the week, residents across Warwickshire were given the opportunity to surrender their weapons anonymously at police stations, no questions asked.

Another two knives were seized by officers in the community. 

Officers also carried out engagement events aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife and encouraging people to take a stand against friends and relatives who carry weapons.

The event took place ahead of the Knife Angel arriving in Nuneaton in June.

Inspector Kris Shore, head of Nuneaton and Bedworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The response from the public to this campaign has been extremely encouraging. These are 83 weapons taken out of circulation and no longer able to be used for crime.

“More importantly, the operation has given us the opportunity to have an important conversation with out local community about the dangers of carrying a knife and encouraging them to take a stand against people who choose to take these weapons out with them. If last week’s activity helps save one person falling victim to knife crime it will have been worth it.

“With the Knife Angel arriving in Nuneaton next week we will continue this important conversation through a series of community and education events. Throughout the month the monument is in Nuneaton we will continue to give people the opportunity to surrender their knives to us, no questions asked.”