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# More than 600 knives surrendered in Suffolk police amnesty
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/more-than-600-knives-surrendered-in-suffolk-police-amnesty/
- Published: 2024-12-02T08:08:26.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:28:52.000Z
- Description: 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.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Crime, Policing, #article, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**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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