MEMBERS of the public in Devon and Cornwall can dispose of unwanted knives and bladed items at designated police stations without fear of prosecution this week (until February 18).

This includes knives, “zombie” knives, swords, kitchen knives, lock knives, unwanted collectibles, replicas and ceremonial items and any unwanted bladed weapon.

Devon and Cornwall Police is supporting the week of action instigated as part of the ongoing Home Office Operation Sceptre which has the national aims of combating knife crime and raising awareness about it.

All police enquiry offices which are open to the public will have collection bins in which members of the public can deposit items anonymously.

These are located at Plymouth, Crownhill; Plymouth, Charles Cross; St Austell, Palace Road; Truro, Pydar Street; Bodmin, Tollgate Road; Camborne, South Terrace; Barnstaple, North Walk; Exeter, Heavitree Road and Torquay, South Street.

Opening times and location maps can be found on the Devon and Cornwall Police website at: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/police-enquiry-offices .

Chief Superintendent Glen Mayhew, Commander of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police Alliance operations department, said: “Our message is clear. There is no excuse for carrying a knife. There are plenty of sad incidents across the country where someone has produced a knife in the heat of the moment, with the intention of it being more symbolically threatening than as a weapon, but who have come off worse because of it.

"We can prevent such injuries and deaths by taking knives off the street.

“Any knife or bladed article carried for anything other than legitimate reasons is not only illegal but dangerous so if you don’t need it or don’t have a good reason for carrying it then bin it.

"Getting these items out of circulation is important and this is an opportunity to ensure we all contribute to removing these items from the streets.”

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Those who are convicted of carrying a knife more than once can expect to receive a prison sentence.

Guidance on basic laws on knives, banned knives and weapons and good reasons for carrying a knife can be found on the Government’s website at: www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives .

Advice for young people aged 11-14 about carrying weapons can be found at: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/youth/11-14/yrspace/weapons .

Alan Quick