David Lepper

Labour Party | Brighton Pavilion

David Lepper Welcomes National Knife Amnesty

A nationwide knives amnesty is to be held between 24 May and 30 June, backed up by a tough police enforcement campaign to drive home the message that carrying knives is not acceptable.

David Lepper, Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Pavilion, has endorsed the move announced by Home Secretary Charles Clarke to tackle knife crime and violence in the city and across the UK.

David Lepper said:

“Recent police action on sales of knives and swords in Sussex has helped highlight this problem locally over the last couple of weeks. This knife amnesty is about creating safer streets throughout the city. Previous amnesties have already taken deadly weapons off the streets.

“Often those who carry a knife or dangerous weapon mistakenly believe they are protecting themselves and have no intention of becoming a murderer – but, coupled with drink or drugs, these weapons all too often lead to bloodshed.

"Please do the right thing for your community, stop carrying knives and hand any you have to the police. Remember this is a chance for you to come clean - but it’s only for a limited time.”

The amnesty will target those who carry knives and offensive weapons. A public campaign supporting the amnesty will urge people to hand in their knives during the five week period, when they will be immune from prosecution for possessing them.

The Violent Crime Reduction Bill, currently before Parliament, is strengthening the laws on knives still further, and another meeting of the Home Office round-table focusing on gun, knife and gangs issues is to be held in the spring.