Cleveland Police urges people to surrender knives 'no questions asked'

Knives handed into Cleveland Police Credit: Cleveland Police

Cleveland Police are urging people to surrender their knives 'no questions asked' as part of a week long national knife amnesty.

The aim of the campaign is to reduce the opportunity of violent crime taking place, by getting dangerous weapons off the streets.

A similar campaign in May this year saw 172 knives and sharp objects handed into Cleveland Police.

In 2016, the force received hundreds of reports of incidents where a knife or sharp implement was used:

  • 381 people were assaulted resulting in an injury

  • there were 8 attempted murders

  • 39 threats to kill

  • 96 robberies

  • 489 vehicles were damaged

Officers will be actively encouraging people to surrender their knives or sharp objects without fear of prosecution from Monday, 17 July to Sunday, 23 July.

Those with objects to surrender can put them in the knife bins available at the four main police stations at Middlesbrough, Kirkleatham, Stockton or Hartlepool between 8am and 8pm.

Superintendent Dave Sutherland said the campaign aims to make communities safer:

Knives and sharp objects handed into Cleveland Police Credit: Cleveland Police

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger, added:

“The knife amnesty is a great opportunity for people to surrender their knives and sharp objects without fear of prosecution. I’ve always supported this campaign and I firmly believe that our communities will be much safer as a result of the amnesty which is my utmost priority.”

Once items are surrendered they will be safely disposed of.