Op Sceptre: Knife surrender launches across Merseyside

People in Merseyside can hand in their bladed weapons as part of a knife and weapons surrender being carried out this week (15-21 May).
Drop-off points will be available at 10 Merseyside police stations, giving members of the public the chance to dispose of a knife or weapon safely.

Changes to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 now makes it illegal to possess offensive weapons in a private place, including your home.

A number of offensive weapons have been included in the legislation such as flick knives, knuckle dusters, zombie knives, stealth knives, swordsticks, swords with a curved blade of 50 centimetres or more in length and even blowpipes or blow guns.

Inspector Laura Leach, Deputy Lead for Serious Violence and Knife Crime said: “Every knife surrendered is one less potentially dangerous weapon on the streets of Merseyside.

“Many weapons are held in innocence or ignorance of their illegality. New legislation from 2019 makes it now illegal to possess dangerous weapons in your home, including knuckledusters, zombie knives and death star knives.  

“We are calling on anyone with any of these weapons in their possession to turn them in. This surrender will help us keep unwanted knives out of circulation and out of the hands of criminals who could use them for serious violence and knife-enabled crimes.”

This knife and weapons surrender coincides with the national knife crime campaign, Operation Sceptre (15-21 May), and the force’s wider work to tackle knife crime and make communities safer.

This week will also see enhanced activity including weapons sweeps, open land searches, stop searches and community outreach with young people and partners. 

In Merseyside, January 2023 saw the lowest level of knife crime since April 2020, and the lowest level of overall serious violence since February 2021. In the last 12 months, knife crime has reduced by 20%.

Inspector Laura Leach added: “Reducing knife crime in Merseyside is a priority for the force all year round. Both serious violence and knife crime are falling in Merseyside, but we know there is still work to do.

“This surrender, alongside increased proactive policing, will help us tackle these issues head on, and work with partners to understand the root causes of knife crime, carrying a weapon and serious violence.”

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Sadly, we have seen far too many times the devastating consequences that carrying a knife can have on victims and their families, but also the families of those convicted of knife crime offences, and our communities.

“Work to prevent and tackle knife crime goes on all year round, but Operation Sceptre is so important in raising awareness of knife crime and educating the public on the dangers of carrying a knife and Merseyside Police has my full support during this important week of action.

“The police cannot do this work on their own though - we need everyone’s help. There is never a good reason to carry a knife. Statistics show those who do carry knives, even for their own protection, are more likely to end up suffering harm, so if you have a young person in your family, I would urge you to use this week as an opportunity to talk to them about the dangers of picking up a knife and the consequences if they are caught carrying a weapon.

“Also, if you have any information or know of someone who carries a knife within your community, please contact the police or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Knife Surrender Locations
Main Stations
Open Monday to Friday 10:00 – 20:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 18:00

St Annes Street
Birkenhead
Huyton
St Helens
Southport
Sister Stations
Open Tuesday to Friday 10:00 – 18:00

Admiral Street
Wallasey
Kirkby
Newton-Le-Willows
Bootle (Marsh Lane)
The surrender runs from Monday 15 May until Sunday 21 May.