Cumbria Constabulary has joined a week-long national campaign against knife crime.

Operation Sceptre seeks to clean up the streets by providing amnesty bins at local police stations where dangerous knives can be dropped off without penalty.

The week campaigning kicked off on Monday, May 13.

Simultaneously, the constabulary will be focused on educating young people about the hazards of carrying knives and conducting test purchasing operations to check if retailers are selling knives to children.

Chief Inspector Steve Hunter said: "The constabulary regularly supports Operation Sceptre and during the May week of action we will be concentrating our efforts on educating and informing young people, as well as ensuring that local commercial premises are aware of their responsibilities with regards to the sale of knives.

"Knife crime impacts all communities and educating young people is a vital part of our efforts here in Cumbria as we work together to ensure the county remains one of the safest places in the country to live and visit."

People found with knives face not only personal risks but also a potential fine of £5,000 and four years in prison.

Ch Insp Hunter said: "Op Sceptre week includes an amnesty opportunity where people can bring in unwanted but potentially dangerous knives and other bladed articles, so they can be disposed of safely.

"It is a quick process and your action will help make your community a safer place."

Echoing these sentiments, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: "Being in possession of a weapon means that you are more likely to use it or have it used against you– this is a risk none of us should take.

"Operation Sceptre is an incredibly positive, pro-active initiative that allows the public to hand over a potentially dangerous knife or bladed weapon without fear of repercussion.

"Knife crime can devastate multiple lives so I would urge anyone who is in possession of a sharp object that could be used as a weapon to hand it into one of the police boxes around the county.

"This is also a great opportunity to speak to our children about the risks around knife crime.

"Cumbria is a safe county so please help to keep it safe and protect our communities."

Those wishing to surrender their weapons safely are advised to put them in a box or strong bag and take them directly to the designated stations.

The locations include Carlisle in the north, Barrow and Kendal in the south, and Whitehaven and Workington in the west.

For those individuals worried about someone in possession of a knife, they can contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Online reporting is available at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit.

Alternately, you can call 101 or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

Please remember to dial 999 in an emergency or when a crime is in progress.