Police force stops publishing pictures of seized knives because they might frighten people

A police force has stopped publishing images of seized knives and weapons because they might frighten the public.

Thames Valley Police hopes the move, confirmed during National Knife Crime Awareness Week, will reduce "the fear of knives and knife carrying".

The decision was described as a victory for "snowflakes" online, with some suggesting it will prevent the force from highlighting the dangers of weapons.

But it has been supported by campaigners who fear that pictures of blades may encourage gang members to carry larger and more dangerous blades.

TVP, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, had previously used social media to release pictures of machetes, swords, knives and daggers handed in during "no questions asked" amnesties.

It changed its stance following discussions with other forces and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), which is carrying out research into the effects of "knife imagery".

Mothers Against Violence spokeswoman Patsy McKie, 72, whose 20-year-old son Dorrie was shot dead in Manchester in 1999, said publishing images of weapons could "up the ante" in gang wars.

"These gang members might say 'we need better weapons, we need more sophisticated weapons to use'," she added.

After the move was announced online, one user wrote: "How will the police 'raise awareness of the dangers' of knives if people don't see pictures and see what they look like... more namby pamby softie stuff, the world is going completely PC mad!"

Another added: "Snowflakes 1 common sense 0."

This week police forces across Britain have been allowing people to dispose of knives and bladed articles anonymously as part of a week-long amnesty called Operation Sceptre.

Fatal stabbings are at the highest level since records began in 1946, with 285 killings by a knife or sharp instrument in the 12 months ending March 2018.

A TVP spokeswoman said the move came "as a result of discussions that have been held at a national level with the NPCC and other forces".

She added: "These have focused on the impact that knife imagery can have on those who see it.

"Although no formal guidance has been put in place, the force has decided that it will not publicise images of knives that have been seized throughout this week of action."