Knife amnesty nets 17,700 weapons (UK)

bbc ^ | 16 June 2006, 12:15 GMT 13:15 UK

[dennisw]

Knife amnesty nets 17,700 weapons Over 17,700 weapons were handed in during the first week of the national knives amnesty, the Home Office said. Machetes, meat cleavers and axes as well as knives were among the haul of 17,715 surrendered to the 43 police forces across England and Wales.

Home office minister Vernon Coaker said the results were "encouraging".

The five-week amnesty, running until 30 June, allows people to surrender knives at police stations without fear of punishment.

Mr Coaker urged those who had not yet handed in their weapons to do so.

"The initial figures for the first week of that campaign are very encouraging, " he said.

"That is 17,715 fewer weapons that can be used in a crime against ordinary, law-abiding citizens.

"If you carry a knife out of self-defence, you run the risk of having it turned on you. Carrying a knife is illegal and will not be tolerated. It could land you four years in prison"

'Significant step'

As well as knives, Devon and Cornwall police also received an 8lb anti-tank rocket launcher, known as a "tankbuster", which has a range of up to 350 metres.

A force spokesman said: "The amnesty is for all weapons and if someone wants to get rid of a rocket launcher, that's fine by us."

Devon and Cornwall's assistant chief constable, Tony Melville, who is also a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said the haul was "a significant step towards making our streets safer".

The initiative, running in England, Wales and Scotland comes amid growing concern at the level of knife crime in the wake of a series of fatal stabbings.

Police say that from 1 July tough action will be taken on those found armed with knives.

However, some families of victims of knife crime have questioned the effectiveness of an amnesty, calling instead for tougher sentencing.

Last month 15-year-old Kiyan Prince died from a stab wound after being attacked outside his school in Edgware, north London.

And last week Alex Mulumba Kamondo, also 15, died after being knifed through the heart during a street fight in Lambeth, south London.

[Beckwith]

Actually, with the number of Mooselimbs in the U. K., this is probably a good idea.

[Abathar]

I wonder if they will come and pick them up? If so there will be a lot of people pointing to all the dangerous weapons lying around their gardens and back yards just waiting to be used for a crime...

[MarkeyD]

When arrows are outlawed only outlaws will have bows.

[SJSAMPLE]

From what I understand, this is a complete scam:

"Knives" are not banned in England, only certain knives.
IIRC, it's knives over 3" in length, very similar to what many US state laws restrict.

It sounds like the Brits are trying to con everybody into giving up their pocket knife or Swiss Army knife.

[Criminal Number 18F]

What are the Brits going to cut their steak with, silly string?

Having grown up with British and Irish cooking, allow me to recommend hammer and chisel.

Now, if someone could just ban stoves, Britain would make a giant step towards civilisation.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[brothers4thID]

Why would anyone give up a perfectly good rocket launcher?

Silly canigits.

[alarm rider]

And this was the country that produced Churchill and Thatcher, legendary sailors and soldiers, Lord Nelson, all the rest. My God, this is not only silly, but just sad.

I knew Europe was on a path to self-destruction, but to watch England go down that path is just tragic.

[conservativewasp]

When I was over there a year and a half ago the idea of banning pointed knives was being discussed. "You see, you really don't need a point on a knife for many things around the kitchen. Knives are intended for slicing, not stabing, so why the point?" This was basically the line of argument. England may well be beyond help.

[TN4Liberty]

As well as knives, Devon and Cornwall police also received an 8lb anti-tank rocket launcher, known as a "tankbuster", which has a range of up to 350 metres

Don't bring a knife to a anti-tank rocket launcher fight.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

"What are the Brits going to cut their steak with, silly string?"


They'll just boil it a bit longer.....

[FreedomNeocon]

Reminds me of...

[NonValueAdded]

Meanwhile, the number of place settings for seven is up 50% on eBay UK.

[Argus]

This will be a boon for Indian takeaway shops. Curry already bite-sized.

[Sicon]

"What if he's got a pointed stick?"

[spookadelic]

Wow... Crazy...

[Uncle Miltie]

In other news, I understand baseball bats are a huge seller.

[rightinthemiddle]

I'm sure you can add something to this thread.

"Just a flesh wound."

[TexasRepublic]

Once the populace is totally disarmed, can the killing fields be far behind?

[OpusatFR]

What next? Screwdrivers? Hammers? What about boxcutters?

Bic lighters?

Oh....and the dreaded weed whacker!

[DBrow]

Anything with a sharp point or blade, except for folding knives with a blade less than 3". I think a fixed-blade knife of any length is forbidden, if I read this right, unless you are a Scotsman in a kilt with a dirk, or a Sikh with a dagger in your turban.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880033_en_12.htm#mdiv139


139.—(1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) below, any person who has an article to which this section applies with him in a public place shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, this section applies to any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed except a folding pocketknife.

(3) This section applies to a folding pocketknife if the cutting edge of its blade exceeds 3 inches.

(4) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above, it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had the article with him—
(a) for use at work;
(b) for religious reasons; or
(c) as part of any national costume.
(6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(7) In this section "public place" includes any place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted access, whether on payment or otherwise.

(8) This section shall not have effect in relation to anything done before it comes into force.

.............................

And you can't advertise or market a knife or pointy thing as being suitable for combat:

2. - (1) A person is guilty of an offence if he publishes any written, pictorial or other material in connection with the marketing of any knife and that material-

(a) indicates, or suggests, that the knife is suitable for combat; or
(b) is otherwise likely to stimulate or encourage violent behaviour involving the use of the knife as a weapon.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable-

(a) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(b) on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/1997021.htm#6