POLICE officers in Redditch are warning people they could be jailed if someone they are with uses a knife to commit a serious crime.
They say that under joint enterprise law if your presence, knowledge or actions lead to a serious crime such as murder you too could be charged with murder.
This means it is not just the person who uses a knife that could be charged but also anyone with them, or knew or did something which led to it happening.
The message comes as part of their four week knife surrender campaign, and officers are urging people to think about the types of people they associate with and the trouble they could get into.
Redditch-based Chief Inspector Sharon Cannings said: “Everyone is responsible for the choices they make. If you know someone is carrying a knife, you can make the choice to report it to the police.
“That choice could be the difference between life and death, the difference between you going to prison or not.
“Make the right choice. If you’re concerned about someone carrying knife then tell the police.
“If you’re worried about this ruining your friendship with that person then ask yourself the question ‘do I want to be friends with type of person who carries a knife?’”
Anyone concerned that someone is carrying a knife can call the police on 101. If it is an emergency call 999. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Until October 16 people can surrender their knives anonymously at a knife surrender bin at either Redditch or Stratford police stations.
People surrendering knives will not be required to leave any information but if they suspect a weapon may have been involved in a crime they will examine it for evidence.
