Knife Amnesty launched in Suffolk.

14 December 2010, 06:00

People across Norfolk and Suffolk are being asked to "Bin a Blade," in the fight against knife crime.

A year long amnesty has been started by the Suffolk Constabulary, where people can get rid of any blades they have outside Ipswich, Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds police stations.

Holly Watson from Sudbury's, brother was killed when he was stabbed last September and since then she's been campaigning to get knives off the street.

She said:

"My brother Lewis was stabbed in September 2009 and died from his injuries. I went from being a normal teenager to someone whose life was ripped apart by someone carrying a knife. I want to make carrying a knife socially unacceptable and show people what the real consequences of carrying a knife can be- a criminal record, a prison sentence or a serious or fatal injury to yourself or someone else."

The bins have been placed outside the three police stations to protect the anonymity of anyone who wants to get rid of any blade they may have.

Suffolk's Chief Constable Simon Ash said:

"Whilst Suffolk does not have a problem with knife crime, with just 0.5% of crimes in the county in the past twelve months involving a knife, one person carrying a knife is one too many. I want everyone who thinks a knife will protect them to think again and bin a blade. Through the amnesty and wider campaign we can educate people about the dangers of carrying knives and give them the opportunity to dispose of knives safely and without prejudice."