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Police handing out blunt knives to domestic violence victims to reduce stabbings in the home




Victims of domestic violence will have their kitchen knives replaced with blunt utensils to prevent their partners attacking them in their own home.

Nottinghamshire Police are piloting the scheme where around 100 'no point' knives will be handed to victims who have either been threatened or attacked with a knife.

Police are concerned about the high level of knife-related incidents that happen in the home, and are hoping the new scheme has the potential to save lives.

Domestic violence knife crime makes up more than 17 percent of incidents reported to Nottinghamshire Police.

In 2018/19, out of 900 reports of knife crime, 159 were related to domestic violence.

Superintendent Matt McFarlane, the new knife crime strategy manager for Nottinghamshire Police, who is overseeing the scheme, said: "We do see a fair amount of knife related incidents in domestic abuse not just on the streets.

"This is a measure we need to take. We want to reduce that risk. It is a trial. We have about a 100 of them - and we have so far given out about 50.

"The knife is blunt at the end - but still functions as a knife - so you can't stab someone.

"People will stay in a relationship after some serious episodes of domestic abuse. They may stay together for children, get back together, or might get back together when they are out of prison."


He said the 'no point' knives would generally be handed out in a situation "where a knife had been used or the victim had been threatened on a previous occasion".

Victims would need to agree to have their knives replaced as it is not mandatory.

They were purchased by the force as a trial to use in "appropriate high risk domestic situations".

Supt McFarlane added: "We are trialling it to see if it makes a difference. Sometimes you have to trial things to see if they work. Anything that stops someone being seriously injured is a good idea."

Mum-of-two Fiona McCulloch, 38, of Chilwell , is a domestic abuse survivor.

Miss McCulloch said it can be difficult to first notice the signs of abuse as her relationship started with so much love and affection after meeting him in a Nottingham bar.

Talking about the 'no point' knives, she said: "I think it is 100 percent positive. In a domestic setting if they are determined to hurt you then they will.

"To have a blunt knife in my situation it would have taken that risk away. It is like you are taking away their options and the more you can take away the better.

"Sometimes, leaving is not an option.".
Superintendent Matt McFarlane, the new knife crime strategy manager for Nottinghamshire Police (left) and the 'no point' knives
Superintendent Matt McFarlane of Nottinghamshire Police (left) and a display of 'no point' knives (Image: Nottinghamshire Police)

Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping welcomed the scheme.

He said: "Having safer implements in the home can reduce injuries and save lives. It is important that we get the message across that the chance of being stabbed on the streets is low and there is a bigger problem around domestic violence.

"It is an excellent intiative. Some research shows that women are attacked around 19 times before they leave their home."

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"The knife is blunt at the end - but still functions as a knife - so you can't stab someone."

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Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Come on, UK, this is pathetic.

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Originally posted by lkdr1989:
Good grief Involves the Nottinghamshire police.

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Police handing out blunt knives to domestic violence victims to reduce stabbings in the home

[snip]
Domestic violence knife crime makes up more than 17 percent of incidents reported to Nottinghamshire Police.

In 2018/19, out of 900 reports of knife crime, 159 were related to domestic violence.

[snip]

Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping welcomed the scheme.

He said: "... It is important that we get the message across that the chance of being stabbed on the streets is low and there is a bigger problem around domestic violence.