The prohibited items list, including bladed articles, will expand to 19 items; community being given the chance to hand them in
Following a rise in attacks with bladed articles, a further 8 items will be added to the list of items it is illegal to possess.
Anyone who has one or more of those current or soon-to-be 19 prohibited weapons will have the chance to hand them in – with no consequence.
From next week, police will hold an amnesty on prohibited weapons, with bins at all three police stations, and possibly Gorhams and Warwick Camp.
Speaking at this year’s 2nd Town Hall on gun & gang violence, Police Commissioner Darrin Simons said they will release pictures of the kinds of items they want to see handed in, and went on to give some examples…
“Popularised in the media is something called a zombie knife… that might have spikes in it… it just looks like something that no reasonable individual would carry other than to cause harm.”
“…brass knuckles are being added to the prohibited item list. Some concealed knives… knives that are going to look like regular or common items. It might a lighter, it could be a kind of Coke, but inside, or concealed within these items, is a bladed article.”
“…another one would be what’s called a cyclone knife… it looks like a spike, but it’s got a spiral kind of blade.”
“Again, none of these items are things that people would ordinarily need to have.”
A Town Hall attendee questioned whether people would actually use this opportunity to hand in such weapons, and Commissioner Simons said “they have in the past”.
“2003 was when the last amnesty happened, and we do get stuff.”
“I’m not saying we’re going to get garbage bins full of materials… what’s really important is that when we make these things illegal, I will put my head on my pillow knowing that I’m giving the community the opportunity to hand them in.”
The Police Commissioner did acknowledge, however, that it is valid to question if someone who is bent on violent activity will actually take advantage of the amnesty.
Another attendee suggested that the amnesty bins should be placed at neutral locations as opposed to police stations.
Again, Commissioner Simons said the point is valid, and suggested the commenter contact him with ideas. However, he added that a balance needed to be struck concerning the security of the bins.
“It would be highly embarrassing if somebody’s made off the bin”, he said, drawing some laughter.
Commissioner Simons said that the amnesty is just one of the steps they will be taking to address the rising trend in the criminal use of bladed articles. Governor Andrew Murdoch conceded that some of their initiatives will work, while others might not.
The Governor added that the amnesty may also be a legal line in the sand for those who possess any of the prohibited items.
“…when people have had the opportunity to hand these things in, and have not taken the opportunity, and are then caught with them… that is going to be a relevant factor when it comes to those in charge – the police, the prosecutors and the courts – taking actions in response to them…”
“…these things are serious and they’re dangerous.”
WATCH the amnesty discussion above, or watch the entire Town Hall HERE.
