A second knife amnesty bins is being installed in Harrogate this week as part of a national police action week.
The town already has a permanent knife bin between Asda car park and Dragon Road car park to encourage people to safely get rid of potentially lethal weapons.
But a second amnesty bin is being put at Harrogate Police Station on Beckwith Head Road this week.
Bins are being installed in police stations in Harrogate, York, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton and Skipton as part of the ‘save a life – bin a knife’ national police campaign running from today until Sunday.
Police will also be educating young people this week about the dangers of knife crime as well as carrying out high-visibility patrols, stop and searches and other enforcement activity in areas linked to possible knife crime.
A North Yorkshire Police press release today said:
“Simply wrap an unwanted knife in thick paper or cardboard as a safety precaution, and bring it directly to one of the locations.
“You do not have to give your name or any other details – just drop it in the clearly-marked bin.
“The aim of the bins is not only to reduce knife crime, but also give reassurance to people who simply want to dispose of unwanted knives and sharp objects – such as old kitchen knives, or unused work tools – safely and securely.”
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Detective Superintendent Andrea Kell, of North Yorkshire Police, said:
Harrogate police begin two-week gun amnesty“Every knife placed in an amnesty bin is one less knife that could be used as a lethal weapon on the streets. That’s why I’m urging everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of them this week.”
Police are urging people in the Harrogate district to hand in any weapons, including guns, knives and tasers, during a two-week amnesty.
Anyone with weapons can surrender them at Harrogate police station, at Beckwith Head Road, anonymously without the threat of prosecution.
The amnesty, which starts tomorrow and ends on May 29, is part of a national campaign to tackle serious crime.
A North Yorkshire Police press release today said some people may be unaware that firearms kept at home for years are illegal. Others are legally held but no longer required and some are used to cause harm. The press release said:
“The surrender gives people the chance to dispose of firearms or ammunition by simply taking them to a local police station and handing them over.”
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The amnesty includes: illegally-held guns and ammunition, imitation firearms and air guns, tasers, stun guns and CS gas.
Police stations in Harrogate, York, Scarborough, Malton, Skipton, Selby, Northallerton and Richmond are taking part in the surrender.
Knife amnesty
In addition to the firearms surrender, Operation Sceptre will run from May 16 to 22.
As part of this coordinated week of activity, which aims to keep knives off the street, knives can also be disposed at Harrogate police station.
Assistant Chief Constable Elliot Foskett, said:
“I want people to take advantage of this campaign and know they are disposing of a potentially dangerous item in the safest way possible, without getting into any trouble.
“It’s a chance to do the right thing and a chance to potentially save a life”.