A KNIFE amnesty scheme will allow people to claim compensation for surrendering 'zombie-style' knives and machetes at a drop-off point in Basingstoke.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will be part of a national surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes being launched by the Government on Monday, August 26.
The scheme will see a one-month surrender period for owners to hand in their weapons to the police and claim compensation, which will run until September 23. These items will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and transport from September 24.
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Chief Superintendent Claire Jenkins, force strategic lead for serious violence, said: "Tackling knife crime requires all agencies and partners working together, approaching this from a number of different angles.
"Our commitment to disrupt and tackle serious violence through Operation Sceptre and ongoing work with the Violence Reduction Partnership, has seen a reduction of nearly eight per cent for the number of knife crime offences in our Force area, when compared to last year.
"Knife crime can affect anyone, not just people in gangs. Young people say they carry them because of peer pressure or for protection - but in fact you are much more likely to become a victim of knife crime yourself.
"Situations involving weapons can quickly get out of control. If you are found with a knife - you will be arrested and are very likely to be charged with a crime for a first-time offence.
"We must challenge the assumption that it’s normal to carry a knife. It isn’t. You are putting yourself, other people and your future at risk.
"This surrender is key to help deal with the accessibility of deadly weapons and we are doing all we can to reduce how readily and easily they can end up in the wrong hands.
"Many of these ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than serve any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly reducing their availability.
"I would urge anyone in possession of a knife soon to be become prohibited to do the right thing and surrender it. To be clear from September 24 you will be liable to arrest and prosecution if found with such a weapon.
"If you don’t wish to take part in or are not eligible for the compensation scheme you can surrender any knives or weapons at a suitable knife bin which are readily available across the country."
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The surrender and compensation scheme is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling serious violence and strengthening police powers to act. Changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will add zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons.
Under the scheme, these items can be surrendered to police. Lawful owners will be able to claim compensation for the items in most cases if the total value of the items is more than £30. Claims can be submitted using a form which is available here on the Government website.
Items can be surrendered and compensation claimed at these designated front offices:
- Aldershot Police Station Wellington Avenue Aldershot GU11 1NZ
- Andover Police Station South Street Andover SP10 2ED
- NPIC Police Station Jays Close Viables Business Park Basingstoke RG22 4BS
- EPIC Police Station Airport Service Road Portsmouth PO3 5GE
- Portsmouth Central Police Station Winston Churchill Avenue Portsmouth PO1 2DG
- Gosport Police Station Gosport Town Hall High Street Gosport PO12 1EB
- Winchester Police Station Tower Street Winchester SO23 8ZD
- Park Gate Police Station 60 / 64 Bridge Road Park Gate Southampton SO31 7HN
- Havant Police Station Civil Centre Road Havant PO9 2AN
- Waterlooville Police Station Swiss Road Waterlooville PO7 7FX
- Fareham Police Station Quay Street Fareham PO16 0NA
- Newport Police Station High Street Newport PO30 1SZ
- WPIC Police Station Southern Road Southampton SO15 1AN
- Portswood Police Station St Denys Road Southampton SO17 2GN
- Lymington Police Office NFDC Offices Avenue Road Lymington SO41 9ZG
People surrendering items must ensure that the items are safe to handle while travelling to the police station and while on police premises. They must be contained in a manner that allows them to be transported without causing distress or alarm to other members of the public.
Items must be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box. They must not be carried openly at any time. Carrying bladed articles in public without a good reason or lawful authority is an offence.
Carrying the items according to these instructions and accompanied by the claim form will allow individuals to claim that they have a ‘good reason’ - namely that they are about to surrender the articles at the nearest designated police station - if stopped by the police. Once in the police station, the person must not take the item out until requested to do so by a police officer or member of police staff.
Further guidance and information is can be found here: Zombie-style knives and machetes surrender and compensation scheme | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
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