A knife amnesty in Burnham-On-Sea aims to reduce the number of offensive weapons on the streets of the town.
Burnham’s Police Station was named on Monday as one of forty collection points across Somerset where people will be able to anonymously surrender knives and other bladed weapons during the coming weeks.
Special bins are being placed in Burnham Police Station for the five-week amnesty, which starts on Wednesday May 24th.
The amnesty aims to reduce the number of knives in circulation and to promote public safety.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Mortimore said: “The amnesty has a clear point to make and that is that carrying knives is not acceptable.”
The amnesty will highlight the dangers knives and other such weapons pose to members of the community when they are used unlawfully.
It also hopes to encourage people to come forward and provide information about people who are using knives illegally.
ACC Mortimore said: “This is an opportunity for people to safely dispose of knives and other bladed weapons, and to play their part in helping to make our streets safer.”
“There is some simple advice we would give to anyone who is considering taking a knife to their local police station during the amnesty. I would strongly encourage them to take every precaution they can to ensure that the knife is safe to carry without causing danger of injury, either to themselves or to others.”
“They can do this by ensuring the blade is not exposed. If the knife has a sheath, use it. Otherwise the knife can be wrapped in cardboard and secured with tape.”
“Anyone bringing such an item to a police station should do so directly, without making any unnecessary detours, for example they should not go to the shops. They should go straight to the police station.”
“Do not leave the item unattended in a vehicle while awaiting an opportunity to deliver it to a police station. For safety, place the item out of sight, preferably in the boot.”
“There is no need to surrender the item to a member of staff at a police station. The disposal bins will be conspicuously positioned and have specially designed openings to allow for the safe deposit of knives and other bladed items.”
