Gwent supports national campaign to tackle knife crime

Officers will be involved in a range of enforcement and engagement activity to remove knives from our streets, identify offenders and educate the public about the dangers of carrying a blade.

Gwent Police is joining forces across the country in raising awareness around the dangers of carrying knives and blades.

Sceptre – the National Police Chief’s Council’s focus on tackling knife crime and serious violence – reflects a year-round approach to tackling knife crime and serious violence, one that:

• restricts the sale and supply of knives
• identifies knife-carriers
• educates the public about the consequences of carrying a blade
• safeguards and supports communities.

Throughout the week, Gwent officers will carry out targeted patrols across the five local authority areas and deliver presentations in schools to raise awareness of the devastating impact knife crime can have on individuals, families and our communities.

As part of the campaign, we’re also appealing for people to hand in unwanted knives and other weapons.

Knife amnesty bins have been set up at five police stations in Gwent, allowing people to safely, and anonymously, dispose of knives and blades.

The bins will be at the following stations and accessible during these date and times:

13 - 19 May 2024

• Newport Central: 8am - 7pm
• Monmouth: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
• Blackwood: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
• Ebbw Vale: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
• Cwmbran: 9am - 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.

People looking to deposit knives at these surrender bins are asked to store them securely when transporting them and then package the blade prior to placing them in the bins so they can be removed safely.

Officers from the service’s problem solving hub will also be working with Trading Standards teams throughout the campaign, and visiting retailers across Caerphilly, Newport and Monmouthshire to talk about its responsible sellers scheme.

Superintendent Ryan Francis said:

“Knives have no place on Gwent streets, and, through Sceptre, we have a multi-faceted approach in place to ensure the public stay safe, offenders are highlighted and prosecuted, and the next generation understand the dangers of carrying a knife.

“Identifying current knife carriers, seizing weapons and making arrests is only part of our approach to tackling knife crime.

“We work with partners, like local authorities, schools and Fearless, to both better understand the motivation behind carrying a blade and to educate people that carrying one doesn’t make you safer but puts you at more risk; we work with retailers to ensure the safe and responsible sale of knives, and; operationally, carry out knife sweeps and stop searches to remove them from our streets.

“We will not tolerate any form of crime or disorder involving weapons and want our communities to know they can come to us with any information they have around serious violence in our communities.

“Every knife we take off the street is another life potentially saved.”

Help and advice

If anyone has any information about people involved in knife crime or has any concerns, please call us on 101 or direct message us via Facebook or Twitter. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Anyone worried about someone or looking for support themselves can visit knifefree.co.uk for advice.

If you feel threatened, unsafe or scared about becoming a victim of knife crime consider:

• You are more likely to come to harm if you carry a knife.
• Walking away from threats of violence.
• Passing anonymous information to Fearless.
• Talk to Childline for help on 0800 11 11 or go online at childline.org.uk.
• Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.