Dorset Police has joined a national campaign to raise awareness around knife carrying and knife crime.
The Sceptre campaign, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), runs from today, 19th May, to Sunday 25th May.
It will see intensified efforts to crack down on knife crime by police forces across the country.
Various activities have been lined up to take place in Dorset throughout the week.
They include education presentations in 16 schools with students receiving information about the dangers of knife carrying and offered support.
Knife surrender bins are also being provided at Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth Police Stations.
Anyone carrying knives is encouraged to surrender them without question or repercussions from police.
As well as this, knife arches will be used at public engagement events in both BCP and the wider county.
Officers will also be joining partners at Bournemouth and Poole College where a range of knife crime related activity sessions have been lined up for the week.
Chief Inspector Andy Bell, knife crime lead for Dorset Police, said: “Although Dorset has one of the lowest rates of knife crime, we must recognise that incidents do happen, and it therefore remains Force priority to tackle these offences.
“Our ongoing efforts, which include engaging with national campaigns like Sceptre, are crucial to removing knives from our streets.
“Education opportunities in local schools, using the knife arch as an engagement tool and the provision of knife surrender bins are just some of the ways we are building awareness among our communities to prevent and reduce knife crime.
“But the issue of knife crime cannot be solved through policing alone.
“Through a multi-agency approach and the help of the public, we can all ensure Dorset is a safe place to live.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I understand it can be worrying to hear about knife crime.
“Though knife crime figures in Dorset are comparatively low, it can still be very concerning to read in the papers or watch tv and hear about people across the nation being attacked and sometimes killed by those who carry a knife.
“During Sceptre, I will be out and about with officers, as well as visiting with the Safer Schools Team during their engagements to show my support for the work they are all doing to ensure Dorset is a safe place for everyone.”