Knife amnesty bin at Spalding Police Station as part of Operation Sceptre

Lincolnshire Police are currently taking part in Operation Sceptre - a national week of action to tackle knife crime.

The week-long event complements the work the force carries out year-round to ensure residents are safe from offensive weapons and weapon-enabled crime in their community under the banner Op Raptor.

During this week there are knife amnesty bins at the front desks of police stations - including Spalding - where knives and other offensive weapons can be dropped off with no consequences.

There are also school engagement events which will reach 325 young people about the dangers and consequences of knife crime as well as engagement with those identified as having carried knives in the past, or as potentially likely to in the future.

These people will are being contacted and educated about the dangers and repercussions of knife crime by the Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachael Cox said: “Knife crime is low in Lincolnshire in comparison to other areas of the country – but we are not complacent, and we understand that education and enforcement can support our goal to keep the county free of violent crime.

“Carrying a knife or other offensive weapon does not protect you.

“In fact, we know that carrying a knife or other weapon means you are more likely to be hospitalised with an injury caused by violence.

“There is no ‘safe place’ to stab someone – any stab can be fatal – and the consequences will be just as severe.

“We don’t want you or anyone else to be placed in a dangerous situation because you thought carrying a knife or other offensive weapon was a good idea. It’s not. Knives destroy lives, both yours and those you love.”

As well as the physical consequences of being stabbed or slashed, there are serious legal consequences which come hand in hand with carrying a knife.

You could face up to four years in prison, even if you don’t use the knife or get a criminal record just for carrying a knife.

Carrying an offensive weapon is a serious offence and carrying it for self-protection is not a defence.