Cambridgeshire Boy Hands 24 Knives During Police Amnesty

Cambridgeshire Police conducted a week-long knife amnesty, piloting a new scheme where individuals unable to travel to amnesty bins could request home collections via email, resulting in a boy from Chatteris handing in more than 20 knives. The amnesty, part of Operation Sceptre, aimed to reduce knife crime by allowing safe disposal of various weapons, including knives, knuckledusters, and extendable batons. Alongside weapon collection, police increased foot patrols, conducted knife sweeps in hotspot areas, and carried out test purchasing with cadets to prevent sales to under-18s. Educational efforts included school visits where students learned about the realities and consequences of knife crime through real-life stories and role play exercises with legal professionals. Similar knife amnesties were held elsewhere in England, such as in Andover, where 18 knives were surrendered, and police identified shops selling knives illegally to minors, which they plan to address. The combined efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to tackle knife crime through community engagement, prevention, and enforcement.