40 knives were handed in at police stations during a week long amnesty.
Operation Sceptre is a national campaign held twice a year, and last week’s campaign also saw Cumbrian police officers talk to over 350 youngsters about the danger of knives and the potential consequences.
Officers went into schools to speak directly with pupils and held presentations at Barrow Town Hall.
Chief Inspector Sam Turner said: “Whilst it is the knife amnesty results which often garner the most attention, for ourselves and partners we cannot emphasise enough the importance of engaging with young people at an early age about the dangers and potential consequences which can result from carrying a knife on the street.
“Our officers were attending primary and secondary schools last week to speak to children and we are also grateful to those schools who, despite Op Sceptre falling during mock exams, were still able to find the time to deliver their own inputs to their pupils on knives.
“Someone in possession of a knife is not only increasing the risk of harm to themselves but could also face a fine of £5,000 and a four-year prison sentence.
“We will continue to support the national Operation Sceptre moving forward as we continue to do all we can to ensure Cumbria remains amongst the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen said: “Education is the key to prevention – by speaking to our young people about the consequences of committing knife crime we can prevent, reduce or stop future tragedies.
“Knife crime can have devastating effects on communities as a whole – not just the victim and perpetrator – it can ruin entire families and affect the lives of those involved, such as the emergency services or bystanders rendering aid. Carrying a knife in public can never be acceptable. We need to tackle it head on and stop it.
“Thank you to everyone that handed in weapons to the amnesty – there are now 40 knives that are off our streets.
“Together we have made Cumbria that little bit safer for everyone.”
