Knife crime 'disposal' campaign launched

A major campaign aimed at tackling knife crime in Northern Ireland has been launched in Belfast today.

The campaign, which starts with an initial three-week amnesty period, is urging people to place knives in special collection bins set up at amenity sites throughout Northern Ireland.

Last year's provisional figures indicate that approximately 1,200 knife related crimes were reported to police compared with 984 incidents the previous year.

Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson MP said: "Today the Government, in partnership with the PSNI, Policing Board and others, is signalling our commitment to confronting knife crime in Northern Ireland.

"It is vital that everyone takes this opportunity to dispose of knives in a safe and secure way. Every knife handed in during the amnesty will be a knife that can't be used in crime; therefore I would particularly urge anyone who is in possession of a knife that is not being held for a legitimate reason to hand it in during the period of the amnesty.

"In addition to the amnesty the Government will extend legislation to Northern Ireland which raises the legal age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18 years old. This will take effect from later this summer.

"Knife crime is unacceptable and has left too many families devastated in Northern Ireland. These measures will help tackle the problem in Northern Ireland and I call on everyone to give the campaign their full support."

The knife amnesty will start today and will run initially for three weeks, will run alongside a national campaign in England and Wales.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said: "Knife crime and a series of tragic events involving knives have been well documented recently. We hope that with the launch of this campaign today we can help tackle the problem together and discourage young people from carrying knives. Our message is clear - never carry a knife, knives take lives.

"Robust police enforcement will coincide with this amnesty. Following legislative changes police will have a targeted 'arrest and charge' policy against those caught carrying a knife for unlawful reasons.

"We will work with our partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that possession or use of a knife is given its full weight in court prosecutions.

"In addition to the disposal scheme/amnesty, a public information campaign will run over the course of the next 12 months.

"An education package will be introduced to post primary schools across Northern Ireland and officers from each of the 29 DCUs have been specially trained to deliver awareness classes. A lesson plan and accompanying material will also be available for teachers"

The initiative will be backed by an extensive year-long advertising campaign.

The Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea, said knife crime was "unacceptable" and urged everyone to support the campaign.

He said: "Many of our young people think it is acceptable to carry a knife. For many of them, a knife is a status symbol, something that makes them more acceptable to their peers. For others, it is seen as a form of protection, but nothing can protect them from the consequences of carrying or using a knife. The fact is that knives are dangerous - people do get hurt and lives and communities can be ruined."

Specially designated bins are located in civic amenity sites across Northern Ireland and any knives for disposal should be wrapped in either cardboard or paper and disposed of safely.

A helpline telephone number will operate during office hours for the duration of this campaign - 028 9090 1252.

(SP/KMcA)