Hull, England – More than 700 knives, including “zombie knives,” have been voluntarily surrendered to Humberside Police during a week-long amnesty. The haul, which ranged from kitchen knives to “really horrific” weapons, came as part of Operation Sceptre, a national effort to combat knife crime.
Police placed knife bins outside stations across the Humber region, collecting a variety of weapons, much to the surprise of Superintendent Jenny Bristow. “Knife crime can have a devastating impact on communities,” she said. “Taking these weapons away means they cannot find their way into the hands of someone who might use it to cause harm to another person.”
Not only were knives handed in, but police also received knuckle-dusters and baseball bats. In addition to the weapons amnesty, officers carried out dozens of stop and searches during the week-long operation, resulting in 32 arrests – eight of which were charged for weapon-related offenses.
The confiscated knives have been sent away to be destroyed, and residents are encouraged to continue bringing in weapons for disposal at any time. The efforts to raise awareness and engage with schools and local businesses reflect the commitment of law enforcement to address the issue of knife crime in the region.