Almost 900 blades received in NI knife amnesty

The Northern Ireland knife amnesty has resulted in a total of 886 knives being handed in to authorities.

The weapons were handed into council sites during the three-week amnesty, which was organised by the PSNI between May 24 and June 14.

Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said that over the three-week period there was a significant drop in incidents of knife crime.

In response to the figures, Mr McCausland said: "This is an extremely positive response by the people of Northern Ireland.

"More importantly, it means that a number of potential lethal weapons are off the streets of Northern Ireland.

"It also demonstrates that the general public is aware and has made a contribution to the first phase of this year-long campaign."

Mr McCausland added that during this three-week period, 52 knife related incidents were reported, compared with 74 for the same period in 2005 - a drop of almost 30%.

The Northern Ireland knife amnesty ran alongside a five-week nationwide campaign which was backed up by a hard-hitting government television advertisement, launched following rising concern about the level of knife attacks in the province, approximately 1,200 of which occur in the province every year.

Mr McCausland also announced plans for police to enforce a rigorous stop and search policy for anyone suspected of carrying an offensive weapon.

He said: "Being in possession of a knife in a public place under suspicious circumstances carries the potential of a two-year prison sentence and a £5,000 fine.

"It would appear that this message is now starting to get through to the people of Northern Ireland."

It was also announced today that the government intend to bring forward legislation making it more difficult for young people under the age of 18 to purchase knives.

Police have said that they intended to build on the success of the province's first knife amnesty, with a continued campaign running until next year.

A second knife amnesty is scheduled for December along with an education programme which will be aimed at post-primary schools in a bid to highlight the dangers to 11 to 18-year-olds.

Commenting on the results of the knife amnesty, Criminal Justice Minister, David Hanson said: "I am very pleased that so many members of the public took the opportunity to hand in knives during the recent amnesty. This removes from our streets nearly 900 items that could have been used for illegal purposes.

"This is just the beginning. We have to keep up the pressure on those who still believe that carrying a knife in public or using it to commit crime is acceptable."

The Minister continued: "In addition to the continuing advertising campaign and the education package in schools, we will be introducing new legislation into Northern Ireland to make it more difficult to obtain knives by raising the minimum age limit for purchase to 18. The Government is considering further penalties applying to Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

"The Government will continue to look at other strategies, policies and initiatives to tackle knife crime in Northern Ireland over the next few months and I hope to make further announcements in due course."

(EF/SP)