Southend police presence as officers collect knives

Police will be engaging with residents in hotspots across the county over the next 12 days and, on the first morning of deployments in Southend, more than 20 knives were voluntarily handed over to officers.

Hotspot patrolling zones are areas data analysis shows have a higher probability of a serious violent incident, with four in Southend.

Officers spoke to residents to explain the increased police presence in the area (Image: Essex Police)

Police will be out encouraging people to surrender knives today and tomorrow in Southend.

Officers will also be in Basildon next Thursday and Grays on Tuesday, September 24.

This comes as, from September 24, zombie-style knives and machetes will be outlawed by new legislation which will cover the manufacture, supply, sale, possession and importation of these weapons.

A national surrender and compensation scheme was launched by the Home Office which runs until September 23, and police are urging the owners of specific varieties of knives and machetes to hand them over in exchange for compensation ahead of the legislation change.

Officers visited hundreds of houses on the first morning in Southend (Image: Essex Police)

Detective Inspector Karen Miller of Essex Police's Operation Grip said: “We’re raising awareness of the legislation change and engaging with members of the public. So far, the reaction has been really positive.

“If people have knives they want to get rid of, we can take them away and destroy them, or they can safely take them to their nearest amnesty bin. This prevents them from potentially ending up in the wrong hands.

“Weapons like machetes and zombie-type knives have always been illegal to possess in public, but this change in the law will give us more powers to stop them being sold, kept or used.

“People may not be aware of the law change, but ignorance is not an excuse. Just because you can order something online does not mean it is legal for you to possess.”

Further details of the surrender scheme, a list of items covered, their definition and guidance on how to transport them safely can be found on the Essex Police website or by visiting the Home Office's dedicated web page.