Knife amnesty bins will be in place next week across Barry.

This is part of the Operation Sceptre national week of action which runs from September 16 to 22.

The week is an intensification of current activity under Operation Sceptre which aims to tackle knife crime and serious violence.

Knife crime remains rare for the vast majority of our communities but it has risen across South Wales and the rest of the UK.

In the Vale of Glamorgan both cases of violent crime and possession of weapons has increased in the past year.

From February 2018 - July 2018 1,470 incidents of violent crime were recorded across the Vale of Glamorgan.

The same six month period in 2019 saw 1,774 violent crimes recorded.

Under Op Sceptre, we have put in place a number of measures to address community concerns and clamp down on those carrying and using knives.

Next week, knives can be deposited at the knife amnesty bin locations without fear of prosecution.

The amnesty bins will be in the following locations in Barry from 2pm to 4pm:

• Asda - Monday, Sept 16

• Asda - Friday, Sept 20

If you have concerns or suspicions about anyone carrying a knife, you can call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you want to pass on information anonymously online, you can visit Crime Stoppers UK.

You can also view a crime map of the local area by clicking the red button below which outlines crimes in specific areas.