886 knives handed in during amnesty

Almost 900 knives were handed in at council sites during Northern Ireland’s three-week amnesty, police figures revealed today.

Almost 900 knives were handed in at council sites during the North’s three-week amnesty, police figures revealed today.

A total of 886 knives were disposed of in special bins placed in council rubbish sites throughout Northern Ireland between May 24 and June 14.

Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland also revealed that over the three-week period there was a noticeable drop in incidents of knife crime compared to last year.

“This is an extremely positive response by the people of Northern Ireland,” Mr McCausland said in response to the knife amnesty figures.

“More importantly, it means that a number of potential lethal weapons are off the streets of Northern Ireland.

“It also demonstrates that the general public is aware and has made a contribution to the first phase of this year-long campaign.

“Our statistics have shown that the number of knife-related incidents has dropped during the three-week period of the amnesty compared to the same period last year.

“During this three-week period there were 52 incidents across Northern Ireland where a knife was used, compared with 74 incidents for the same period in 2005.

“This represents a drop of almost 30%.”

The Northern Ireland knife amnesty ran alongside a five-week nationwide campaign.

A hard-hitting British government advertising campaign ran on television during the amnesty, which was held following rising concern about the level of knife attacks in the North.

Approximately 1,200 knife-related crimes occur in the North every year.

The campaign was supported by the family of North Belfast teenager Thomas Devlin who was murdered as he headed home with friends after buying sweets.