Knife amnesty aims to save lives

Police say that carrying a knife does not make people safer

Police in Tayside are aiming to save lives by encouraging the public to hand in knives.

As part of a Scotland-wide amnesty, special red wheelie bins have been placed at police stations in Tayside.

People who use them to get rid of dangerous weapons during the initiative can do so without being prosecuted.

The amnesty aims to get as many knives and other weapons off the streets as possible, as well as restricting the number of people with access to blades.

Detective Superintendent Jim Cameron, lead officer for the campaign in Tayside, said too many people wrongly thought that carrying a knife would make them safer.

'Perfect opportunity'

He said: "The message of this campaign is simple - if you think you're protecting yourself by carrying a knife, you're not.

"Every weapon handed in is a weapon that can't be used in crime.

"I want to see people recognising the dangers of carrying a knife and using this opportunity to dispose of it before we take action against them.

"Those who labour under the misconception that the carrying of any offensive weapon may add to their street cred, now have the perfect opportunity to hand in their weapons."

The amnesty is being backed by the Scottish Executive and policing umbrella body ACPOS.