MP Welcomes National Knife Amnesty

Warrington North MP HELEN JONES has welcomed the announcement of a nationwide knives amnesty which will be held between 24 May and 30 June.  Every police force in the country will take part in the amnesty.  The amnesty is backed up by a tough police enforcement campaign to drive home the message that carrying knives is not acceptable.

In endorsing the drive to tackle knife crime and violence in Warrington and across the UK HELEN JONES said:

“ Tackling knife culture, especially among young people is crucial to the safety of our communities. This knife amnesty is about creating safer streets. Previous amnesties like this have already taken deadly weapons off the streets and every weapon handed in will be a weapon that cannot be used in crime.

Sometimes those who carry a knife or a dangerous weapon do so in the mistaken belief they are protecting themselves and have no intention of becoming a murderer.  However, coupled with drink or drugs these weapons can all too often lead to bloodshed.

I would therefore appeal to people who carry knives to do the right thing and to hand them over to the police."

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.