Posted on Thursday 24 November 2022
“Most importantly, the week will aim to highlight that there are no positives to carrying a knife.”
More than 50 weapons have been taken off our streets and a number of people have been arrested in a week-long campaign to reduce knife-crime.
Knife bins were installed inside the front counters of Stanley, Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Darlington police station into which people could deposit weapons, ornamental knives or bladed articles they no longer used completely anonymously.
The results:
Stanley 
Newton Aycliffe 
Spennymoor 
Darlington 
As well as the knife bins, the force also took proactive steps to tackle weapon-based violence through engagement and enforcement.
Of those arrested, officers located 10 prohibited offensive weapons within a property they had been called to following an assault.
These included two knuckle dusters, a butterfly knife, flick knife, three throwing stars and a set of nun chucks, all of which were seized. In a second incident, whereby officers were responding to reports of a fight in a street, they carried out a search of a man and found a lock knife with a Stanley blade in his pocket, he was further arrested for this offence and enquires are now ongoing.
Inspector Michael Sammut, force lead for Operation Sceptre said: “The impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities is truly devastating and long lasting.
"Although County Durham and Darlington have one of the lowest rates of knife crime in the country, we remain determined to reducing knife crime in our region and we welcome more campaigns such as this.”
If you are aware of anyone who carries a knife or have concerns that someone you know may carry a knife, please report it to police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.