Knife amnesty: Make the right choice, say West Mercia Police
Just being with someone who uses a knife to commit a serious crime could be enough for a prison sentence, police in Shropshire are warning.
Under "joint enterprise" law, people whose presence, knowledge or actions lead to a serious crime such as murder could also be charged with murder.
This means that it is not just the person who uses a knife that could be charged with murder, it could be anyone who was with them, or knew or did something which led to it happening.
West Mercia Police is issuing the stark warning as it continues its knife amnesty.
It asks, whether those who know someone who carries a knife are willing to risk their own liberty.
As part of its four-week knife surrender campaign, officers from West Mercia Police are urging people to think about the types of people they are associating with and the potential trouble they could get into.
West Mercia Police is issuing the stark warning as it continues its knife amnesty, which has already seen 163 knives surrendered in Telford.
Chief Inspector Sharon Cannings said: “Everyone is responsible for the choices they make.
"If you know someone is carrying a knife, you can make the choice to report it to the police.
“That choice could be the difference between life and death, the difference between you going to prison or not.
“Make the right choice. If you’re concerned about someone carrying knife then tell the police.
“If you’re worried about this ruining your friendship with that person then ask yourself the question ‘do I want to be friends with type of person who carries a knife?’”
West Mercia Police force has launched a knife surrender campaign aimed at making the region’s streets safer by encouraging people to hand their weapons in anonymously at a police station.
Knife bins have been located at police stations around the county where people can surrender their knives anonymously.
Also as part of the campaign, officers are reminding people of the consequences of carrying a knife.
Anyone who wants to hand over a blade can drop it off at West Mercia police stations around the region, including the main stations in Telford and Shrewsbury.
Knives surrendered to Shropshire’s police force during a four-week amnesty will go towards making a plinth for the famous Knife Angel scuplture.
West Mercia Police has launched the amnesty to get people to hand over their blades.
Those leaving knives will not be expected to give their names or any details. Knives handed in that are suspected of being involved in a crime may be examined for evidence.
This is part of Operation Sceptre, a national operation to reduce knife crime and the number of families affected by knife crime.
Anyone concerned that someone is carrying a knife can call the police on 101. If it is an emergency call 999. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org
