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Published:
May 22, 2006
Police
in Burnham-On-Sea
launch 'walk-in' knife
amnesty
A
knife amnesty in Burnham-On-Sea aims to reduce the number of offensive
weapons on the streets of the town.
 Burnham's
Police Station was named on Monday as one of forty
collection points across Somerset where people will be able to
anonymously surrender knives and other bladed weapons during the
coming weeks.
Special
bins are being placed in Burnham Police Station for the five-week
amnesty, which starts on Wednesday May 24th.
The
amnesty aims to reduce the number of knives in circulation and
to promote public safety.
Assistant
Chief Constable Steve Mortimore said: "The amnesty has a
clear point to make and that is that carrying knives is not acceptable."
The
amnesty will highlight the dangers knives and other such weapons
pose to members of the community when they are used unlawfully.
It
also hopes to encourage people to come forward and provide information
about people who are using knives illegally.
ACC
Mortimore said: "This is an opportunity for people to safely
dispose of knives and other bladed weapons, and to play their
part in helping to make our streets safer."
 "There
is some simple advice we would give to anyone who is considering
taking a knife to their local police station during the amnesty.
I
would strongly encourage them to take every precaution they can
to ensure that the knife is safe to carry without causing danger
of injury, either to themselves or to others."
"They
can do this by ensuring the blade is not exposed. If the knife
has a sheath, use it. Otherwise
the knife can be wrapped in cardboard and secured with tape."
"Anyone
bringing such an item to a police station should do so directly,
without making any unnecessary detours, for example they should
not go to the shops. They
should go straight to the police station."
"Do
not leave the item unattended in a vehicle while awaiting an opportunity
to deliver it to a police station. For safety, place the item
out of sight, preferably in the boot."
"There
is no need to surrender the item to a member of staff at a police
station. The disposal bins will be conspicuously positioned and
have specially designed openings to allow for the safe deposit
of knives and other bladed items."
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