Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, and Carlisle MP Julie Minns are encouraging residents to hand in ‘zombie knives’ and machetes to Police in the Carlisle area.
An amnesty surrender scheme has been put in place to allow those who have these weapon types to hand them over safely and legally to Police Stations across the county. This amnesty follows the Government’s announcement that owning certain types of ‘zombie knives’ and machetes will be illegal with new legislation coming into effect on 24 September 2024 to tackle knife crime across the county.
Those looking to hand in a knife, can do so at Durranhill Police Station, Brunel Way, CA1 3NQ open Monday – Saturday, 8am – 6pm and Sunday, 10am – 4pm.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Knife crime has a detrimental effect on not only the victim but on families, friends, and communities as a whole.
“There is absolutely no need for anyone to be carrying zombie knives or machetes on our streets or own one at all.
“The fact is if you carry it, you are more likely to use it, have it used against you or encourage others to do so - and this is what we want to avoid. Therefore, I am encouraging anyone that has these types of knives to hand them in to a Police Station that is part of the amnesty.
“To be very clear - after the amnesty has ended on 24 September, if you are caught with these types of knives, you will face prosecution.
“Cumbria is a safe place to live and we all want to protect the county’s safety so it is imperative that we work together to reduce knife crime in to the county.
“Between January 2024 and March 2024 in Cumbria, the Criminal Justice System dealt with 141 knife and offensive weapons offenders – 25.5% of these were repeat offenders. This is below the national average of 31.5%.
“I want to be incredibly clear – if you are a repeat offender in Cumbria you will face the full force of the law. There is absolutely no excuse for carrying any weapons on our streets.
“Do the right thing – hand your ‘zombie knives’ and machetes in to the Police before the 24 September and keep yourself and others safe.
“As your Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of residents within Cumbria, in respect of the Police and Fire services – I am your voice. If any member of the public has a concern about crime in their area, or around the Constabulary or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, please raise it with me at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or call 01768 217734.”
Julie Minns MP for Carlisle said: “The Government is committed to halving serious violence, and rebuilding confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.
“The local knife amnesty is the first – and necessary - step in a series of actions locally and nationally, to steer teenagers away from crime, and follow the recent announcement from the Home Secretary of guidelines setting out how networks of police, mental health professionals, local schools, youth offending teams and charities can work together to help give teenagers their future back.”
If you wish to report to police you can do so online at Report a crime | Cumbria Police. You can also phone on 101. Always phone 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.