Essex Police took around two tonnes of knives off the county’s streets in 2023 – meaning nearly 24,000 potential weapons were put beyond criminal use.

The knives and sharp-bladed implements are taken to a secure location to be shredded so that they can’t be used again. They are collected from knife bins installed in districts across the county – to find the nearest visit the Knife Bins webpage.

Police figures showed a a total of 1,519 in ‘knife-enabled’ offences across the county in the year to date, a 7% fall on the year to April 2023.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hughes, of our Serious Violence Unit, said: “The reality in Essex is that a small number of people are carrying knives, but that number is always one too many.

“It is absolutely vital, if you know someone who does carry a knife, you report it to us. Or, if you would prefer, speak to a trusted family member or a teacher.

“Alternatively there are ways of making a report entirely anonymously, through charities like Crimestoppers.”