There is a Knife Amnesty in Reading until 23rd July, with a collection point at the Thames Valley Police station in Reading. Thames Valley Police are appealing to anyone, including parents and carers, who know someone who carries a knife to encourage them to dispose of it.

Local Lib Dem campaigner James Moore said, “The devastating effect of knife crime on people’s lives is clear for all of us to see. We commend our hard-working police force’’s pro-active efforts to reduce knife crime.”

There is a plan for the knives surrendered in the amnesty to be used to create a “Dove of Peace Monument” which the makers, Black Country Metal Works Limited, hope to have placed on the 4th Plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Earlier this year a Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats showed that the number of pupils caught in possession of knives in schools across London has risen for a fifth successive year, with 299 students found with knives in 2016, compared to 152 in 2011. Additionally, in the 12 months to March 2017, there had been almost 2,000 youth victims of knife crime resulting in injury.
Links:

Met Police Notes on latest phase of Operation Sceptre: http://news.met.police.uk/news/latest-phase-of-operation-sceptre-250819
Thames Valley Police Amnesty Note: https://www.facebook.com/thamesvp/photos/a.10154991230443655.1073742980.138503923654/10154991230463655/?type=3
London Lib Dem news from Mar on knife crime stats in March this year: http://www.londonlibdems.org.uk/knifecrimeepidemic

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