People will be able to hand in knives at Market Harborough police station this week as part of a force-wide amnesty

People will be able to hand in knives at Market Harborough police station this week as part of a force-wide amnesty.

The opportunity to surrender lethal unwanted blades comes as Leicestershire Police supports National Operation Sceptre.

The seven-day action is being launched on Monday March 23 - and will continue despite the changes brought on by the coronavirus.

The crackdown is backed by the force’s established #LivesNotKnives campaign and partnership work which aims to cut knife crime by targeting those carrying weapons.

Knife surrender bins have been set up at Market Harborough police station on Fairfield Road as well as other stations around the county.

The force’s knife arch will also be set up at undisclosed locations to target people carrying knives along with any other criminality.

Officers will also be carrying out stop and search activity where appropriate and visiting known “knife carriers” to deliver #LivesNotKnives messages.

Supt Shane O’Neill, who leads Leicestershire Police’s response to knife crime, said: “Our work to tackle knife crime continues as a priority, despite some of our intended work with young people this week having to be scaled back.

“This national week of action has long been planned.

“It’s part of our collaborative Lives Not Knives campaign which works with partners including schools, councils, health and charitable organisations, as well as parents to deal with this issue across the board.”

He added: “We have recently revised our Lives Not Knives imagery to get the message out to those who choose to carry knives that they put themselves at greater risk in doing so.

“This imagery has already appeared on buses throughout the city and county and is currently on billboards across Leicester.

“It’s vital that people know where to get advice and support from if they want help to stop carrying a knife or have concerns about someone they know who has one.

“We are doing everything we can to catch offenders and deal with them appropriately. “Ultimately, knife crime will not be tolerated on our streets.”

Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach said: “Even in these rapidly changing and very challenging circumstances we must do everything we can to reinforce that carrying a knife is unacceptable.

“I’m proud that the force is continuing to tackle this type of criminality.

“It sends a clear message that knife crime remains a priority and will not be tolerated.”

For more knife crime resources or advice visit the force website.