More than 100 weapons surrendered during Herts knife amnesty

Hertfordshire Police took part in the latest Sceptre week of action against knife crime, raising awareness and giving advice about the risks of carrying a knife in public.

A police search in Hertford during the Sceptre week of action against knife crime (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

A knife amnesty began on Monday, May 13, and was part of an awareness week to address knife crime and reduce the number of illegal knives in circulation.

During the campaign — which ended on Sunday, May 19 — knives could be surrendered at selected police stations, including Stevenage and Hatfield, and at temporary knife bins around the county.

A total of 104 knives were surrendered in Hertfordshire, with police figures showing 35 handed over in Three Rivers, 34 in Stevenage and 18 in Welwyn Hatfield.

Police in Hitchin. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Other activities carried out during the campaign included engagement events with young people in schools and public areas, and visits to retailers to ensure they were adhering to laws regarding knife sales to those aged under 18.

Knife detection operations, including covert and high visibility patrols, and knife searches in public areas were also conducted at locations across Hertfordshire.

A police interactive workshop using virtual reality headsets. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

The constabulary’s Child Criminal Exploitation Prevention and Diversion Team were also out working with students across the county, presenting interactive workshops using virtual reality headsets. 

The headset software placed the students in gang and knife crime scenarios, where they had to choose from multiple decisions which lead to positive or negative outcomes depending on their choices.

Inspector Nicki Dean, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Community Safety team who led the campaign, said: “There is always a great response from local residents during our weeks of action and we always get lots of positive feedback from all the young people we speak to.

“As part of our activities we conducted a survey to understand local people’s views on knife crime.

"More than 1,200 people completed the survey and as part of our Prevention First approach we’ll digest the feedback and use it to develop our plans to further force down knife possession and associated crime in Hertfordshire.

"We are constantly working with our young people in schools and colleges to help them make positive life choices, so they understand the dangers knives pose, as well as ensuring that knives are not readily available, whether online, in shops or passed around in the community.”  

Knife Crime

If you would like further information on support services relating to knife crime contact Fearless.org

You can report information about knife crime online at www.herts.police.uk/report or speak to an operator in Herts Police's Force Communications Room via online web chat.

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

Weapons surrendered in each area

• Three Rivers - 35
• Stevenage - 34
• Welwyn Hatfield - 18
• Broxbourne - 11
• St Albans - 2
• Watford - 2
• Hertsmere - 1
• Dacorum - 1