Operation Sceptre returns to Nottinghamshire with amnesty bins now in place across the county
People across Nottinghamshire are being urged to support a national effort to reduce knife crime by surrendering knives and other weapons as part of Operation Sceptre, a week of action designed to tackle knife-related offences and keep communities safer.
Starting on Monday, 19 May, Nottinghamshire Police has placed amnesty bins at key locations across the county. Residents are being encouraged to hand in any unwanted, illegal, or dangerous weapons – from kitchen knives to machetes, swords and knuckledusters – no questions asked.
The initiative is part of a wider national campaign and follows the success of the previous Operation Sceptre, held in November 2024, which led to 166 weapons being safely surrendered.
“Every weapon off the streets is a life potentially saved”
Chief Inspector Karl Thomas, Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime lead, is urging people to continue the positive momentum.
“Whether it’s a knife, a sword, or something like a knuckleduster, every weapon we can take off the streets is a positive thing and makes our communities safer,” he said.
“This initiative is not a trick. We want to take these blades and other offensive weapons off our streets and this amnesty makes that easier and more efficient.”
Chief Inspector Thomas stressed that anyone surrendering a weapon will not face legal repercussions, encouraging individuals to ‘do the right thing’ without fear of prosecution.
“Knife crime has devastating consequences for so many people, so anything we can do to take these weapons out of harm’s way is a good thing and something we support as a force.”
Knife crime down, but more work needed
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that knife crime in Nottinghamshire fell by five per cent in 2024, with 811 knife-enabled offences recorded compared to 854 in 2023. However, knife possession offences rose slightly by 3.1 per cent, highlighting the ongoing need for proactive campaigns like Operation Sceptre.
Safe drop-off points across Nottinghamshire
To make it as easy as possible for people to dispose of weapons, amnesty bins are now available at the following police stations:
- Newark Police Station, Queen’s Road, NG24 1LJ
- Mansfield Police Station, Great Central Road, NG18 2HQ
- Oxclose Lane Police Station, Bestwood, NG5 6FZ
- Radford Road Police Station, Hyson Green, NG7 5GX
Residents are asked to package knives safely before transporting them – using a box, bubble wrap, or other protective materials – to avoid injury.
A message from the Police and Crime Commissioner
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden added his voice to the campaign:
“Although you may think that carrying a knife protects you, it doesn’t. It simply increases the risk of danger to you and those around you.”
“Every weapon removed from our streets is another step towards preventing harm and protecting lives in Nottinghamshire. I urge anybody who owns a knife to work with us – this is a chance to make a stand.”
Make Nottinghamshire safer: Get involved
Operation Sceptre not only targets knife possession and violent crime but also raises awareness of the dangers of carrying weapons. By taking part, local residents can directly contribute to making Nottinghamshire’s streets safer for everyone.
For more information, visit the Nottinghamshire Police Operation Sceptre webpage.