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Suffolk residents handed in over 600 knives during a week-long amnesty as part of a police operation targeting knife crime. Operation Sceptre also saw three shops fail age verification checks for knife sales.
Why it matters: The amnesty bins, placed across Suffolk, give people a safe way to dispose of unwanted or illegal weapons anonymously, helping to reduce the number of knives on the streets.
The big picture: Operation Sceptre ran from 11 to 17 November, combining enforcement with education and prevention. The operation included test purchases, high-visibility patrols, community engagement, and weapon sweeps.
Key findings:
Over 600 knives recovered from amnesty bins
Only 5 knife-related arrests during the week
20 weapon sweeps conducted with no knives found
3 out of 26 retailers failed underage sales checks
What they're saying: "Suffolk is a safe county to live and we were proud to see the low numbers of people carrying knives," said Sergeant Jamie Vincent. "This doesn't make us complacent; it is important that tackling knife crime remains a force priority."
Notable case: One of the five knife-related arrests led to a charge. Xander Butler, 21, from Lackford Place in Ipswich, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife and two counts of assault by beating of a police officer at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on 15 November.
Public appeal: Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore stressed the importance of community involvement: "We will only make a difference if we work together."
The bottom line: While the high number of surrendered knives shows public willingness to support knife crime initiatives, failed retailer checks highlight ongoing challenges in preventing access to weapons.
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