POLICE on the Isle of Wight are stepping up their fight against knife crime with a "no questions asked" amnesty in West Wight.

Island police will set up weapon surrender bins in the River Road car park, Yarmouth, today (Friday, November 15), between 12 noon and 1pm. 

There are also surrender bins at Newport and Ryde Police stations, which have been operating throughout this week, under Operation Sceptre.

Read more: Isle of Wight police set up knife amnesty bins this week

Officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are participating in a national week of action to tackle knife crime.

Operation Sceptre, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, began on Monday (November 11).

It involves officers taking dedicated action to make communities safer from knife-related crimes.

In addition to seizing knives and arresting those in possession of them, the police will also work to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and the serious violence it can lead to.

Some of the increased police activity being undertaken this week, during Operation Sceptre, has included additional high visibility patrols.

The police has also been working with Island schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young people on the dangers of knife crime.

Read more: Campaign urging Isle of Wight knife owners to surrender them

They will also conduct weapons sweeps for hidden or discarded knives, staff knife arches at various locations, and work with partners to promote the 'Challenge 25 ID approach.

Acting Inspector, Christian Lavin, tactical lead for knife crime for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, set out to reassure the public police were keeping a lid on the problem.

He said: "Though knife crime figures in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are comparatively low, knife-related offences continue to fall within our communities."