Amnesty to cut rising knife crime

A month-long amnesty gets under way in Peterborough on Tuesday aimed at cutting the growing number of crimes involving knives.

There will be four secure bins across the city where people will be able to drop their knives anonymously 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They can also be handed in at police stations without threat of prosecution.

Chief Insp Steve Selves said the amnesty was aimed at making the city a safer place to live and work.

'Assistance' appeal

"Over the past 12 months we have seen a steady increase in the number of crimes reported to us which have involved a knife, including street robberies, assaults and disorders - which will not be tolerated," he said.

"Those people who are caught carrying a knife without good reason and not assisting in the amnesty will be dealt with accordingly."

The bins will be at the Asda store in Rivergate, the Kwik Save car park off Lincoln Road, the Russell Street junction with Lincoln Road and the Triangle.

Knives can be handed in at Bridge Street, Thorpe Wood, Werrington, Orton and Bretton police stations.