Northamptonshire Police are pleading with people to turn their knives in this week.

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The Neighborhood Policing Team are holding two Knife Amnesties this Wednesday. Hoping to reduce the number of weapons carried around in the streets.

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The aim is for people to surrender their weapons, without facing a criminal conviction.

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The two knife drop-offs will be at Wellingborough Road and Weedon Road.

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People are able to surrender their weapons between 10:30 and 15:30 this Wednesday.

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                      One of two posters shared about the Knife Amnesty on social media

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Previous Knife Amnesties across the county seized 19 weapons in Kettering and Corby.

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Knife crime has more than doubled in Northamptonshire in the last ten years.

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Figures published by the ONS revealed 638 incidents involving bladed weapons in the year to March 2020.

That marks a rise of around 20 percent since last year.

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Operation Sceptre

 

Operation Sceptre is the nationwide campaign for tackling knife crime.

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The operation also includes prevention as well as enforcement.

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The enforcement part of the campaign includes stop searches and the carrying out of test purchases at shops by emergency services cadets.

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Superintendent Dennis Murray said in the operation statement: "The enforcement and proactive work we do is only one part of the solution to this issue – I urge parents and carers to talk to their children about the hazards of carrying a knife."

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"Carrying a knife does not protect you - it can ruin your life forever. There is never a good reason to carry a knife."

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Anyone who has any information about suspicious behavior in their area or information about people carrying knives is urged to contact the police on 101.

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Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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In an emergency always call 999.