Knife amnesty to tackle crime

A week long knife amnesty has started across the Cleveland Police force area from May 19.

- Gavin Ledwith

Knife carriers are urged to surrender their weapons as part of a nationwide amnesty.

Blades can be surrendered anonymously at Hartlepool Police Station this week as part of the Operation Sceptre initiative to tackle knife crime across the United Kingdom.

Weapons can also be handed in at Cleveland Police's main Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton stations as well as at Durham Constabulary’s Peterlee Police Station.

Operation Sceptre began on May 19 with its focus locally on education and engagement as well as “enhanced enforcement”.

Cleveland Police have issued force-wide figures for knife crime during the year between April 1, 2024 and March 31.