Greater Manchester crime crackdown destroys thousands of knives

The knives were handed in across Greater Manchester, including in Rochdale, Stockport and Bolton

Thousands of knives have been crushed by police in a crackdown on youth violence across Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said 3,000 blades had been put in amnesty bins at 12 locations including Salford, Oldham, Wigan and Manchester.

The knives and weapons were collected in 20 drums and crushed at a scrap metal yard in Openshaw, Manchester.

GMP said people who surrendered them were not required to give personal details and were not prosecuted.

The Forever Amnesty knife initiative, launched in 2020, is part of Operation Venture.

It is aimed at "tackling serious youth violence".

Operation Venture's Sgt Paul Heap said: "Each one disposed of is one less that can be used in crime or to inflict serious injury."

He added: "This is an opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of using these bins to ensure we all play a part in keeping our communities safe."

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