PEOPLE who own illegal knives will be given the opportunity to hand them over at Wokingham and Loddon Valley Police Stations risk-free as part of a nationwide amnesty this week.
As part of Operation Sceptre, Thames Valley Police (TVP) is urging people to surrender their weapons into a bin at the front counter of the Denmark Street and Rushey Way stations without fear of repercussion until this Sunday.
The knives, which are being collected across more than 30 forces in England and Wales, will then be repurposed into a piece of art which it is hoped will be displayed on the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square in London.
Supt Richard James from Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships said: “Taking part in the British Ironwork Centre project illustrates how we in the Thames Valley are part of the nation’s collective stand against knife crime and violence.
“In Thames Valley we do not experience knife crime on the levels seen in similar communities and areas elsewhere in the country. From January to December 2015 Thames Valley Police received reports of 485 crimes in which a bladed or pointed article was used compared to 496 during the same period the year before, a two per cent reduction.
“The figures refer to sexual and violent offences, including robbery, where a pointed or bladed implement is recorded as being used in the offence and it was capable of piercing or puncturing the skin. A pointed or bladed implement could include items such as knives, pens, screwdrivers and broken bottles. The item could have been used to threaten or injure.
“It is important that we continue to ensure people understand that carrying a knife makes an individual more likely to be a victim of knife crime themselves.
“We are proud to be able to take part in such an inspiring project alongside police forces and colleagues nationwide.”
Knife surrender bins will be in front counter offices at the following locations until Sunday: Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Amersham, Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Henley, Cowley, Didcot, Witney, Bicester, Reading, Loddon Valley, Maidenhead, Windsor, Newbury, Slough, Wokingham and Bracknell.
Knives should be wrapped in cardboard or something similar before placing in a bin.
