Lancashire Police install 26th knife bin in county as part of Operation Sceptre
A new knife amnesty bin has been installed outside Ormskirk Police Station, bringing the total number of secure knife disposal bins in Lancashire to 26, as part of a national week of action to tackle knife crime.
The latest installation comes during Operation Sceptre, a countrywide initiative running this week to reduce the number of knives on the streets and prevent violence linked to bladed weapons. The operation, supported by Lancashire Constabulary and the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network (LVRN), involves a range of proactive policing and community engagement activities in West Lancashire.
Knife Bin Initiative Aims to Save Lives
The amnesty bins, including existing locations at Skelmersdale Police Station, offer a safe and anonymous way for members of the public to dispose of knives and bladed articles. Each bin is secured, regularly emptied by officers, and the contents safely destroyed to ensure that dangerous weapons are removed from circulation.
The installation of the new bin in Ormskirk was not in response to a local increase in knife crime, but rather as a preventative measure to help keep the community safe.
“It’s great that we have been able to secure an additional knife amnesty bin for West Lancashire so that knives can be safely disposed of,” said Sergeant Rachel Killinger from the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network.
“This new bin has not been installed here because of a particular issue in the area. Ormskirk is a safe place. However, knife crime remains an issue across the country and any additional steps that we can take to prevent knives getting into the wrong hands is a positive.”
Proactive Work Underway Across West Lancashire
Throughout Operation Sceptre, officers across West Lancashire are conducting weapon sweeps, test purchasing visits, and delivering school talks to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.
The initiative focuses not just on enforcement, but also on education, prevention, and early intervention—ensuring young people in particular understand that carrying a knife puts them at greater risk, not less.
Tackling Knife Crime Across Lancashire
Knife crime remains a national concern. In England and Wales, 44,365 knife crime offences were recorded in the 12 months leading up to September 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics. While Lancashire’s rates are below the national average, police forces across the county are committed to keeping knife-related incidents as low as possible.
The LVRN continues to work with partners in health, education, community safety, and criminal justice to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violent crime.
Residents across Lancashire are encouraged to take advantage of the amnesty bins and play their part in keeping their communities safe.
📍 Find Your Nearest Knife Bin
You can view the full list of knife bin locations in Lancashire here: Knife Bin Locations – Lancashire Violence Reduction Network