TODAY (Sunday, 22 May) brings the end of a programme of events to stop knife crime in Thurrock, but a further programme aimed at getting firearms off the street will continue for another week.

Across the borough over the past week uniformed and plain-clothes police officers have been patrolling town centres, conducting stop searches if they suspect people are carrying knives and other weapons.

A bin adorned with artwork created by 12-year-old Rachida, from the Hathaway Academy, who won a competition which helped to highlight to young people the danger of carrying knives has been in place at Grays Police Station.

Police also manned a knife arch at Chafford Hundred Lakeside rail station.

Thurrock District Commander Chief Inspector Terry Fisher said: "Our knife amnesty means anyone who has a bladed weapon they wanted to dispose of can do so safely in one of our knife bins. We want to get as many knives as possible off our streets.

"If you carry a knife you are more likely to have it used against you.

"My officers are always on the alert for people who carry knives and other weapons but this week, in support of the amnesty, we wanted to highlight our work in this area."

Thurrock Volunteer Police Cadets also carried out test purchases on Tuesday evening at Lakeside's shopping centre and retail park in every shop selling knives and other sharp implements.

All of the Cadets, aged between 13 and 16, were challenged and none were able to buy any sort of weapon. Afterwards, a police officer went into each shop and thanked staff for their vigilance.

Police Community Support Officer JoJo Mitchell is also a volunteer cadet leader and she organised the cadets to visit the shops.

"It's very important to reassure the public that shop staff are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to selling dangerous items. So involving our younger cadets in test purchasing helps us to keep our communities safe.

"And we had only praise to pass back to the Thurrock Council licensing team, which is very reassuring."

Police Cadests took part in a survey of shops in Thurrock, trying to purchase knives.

Director Howard Oldstein says the close working partnership with Essex Police is key to Lakeside Shopping Centre's security strategy.

He adds: "We take the safety of our visitors and all those who work at Lakeside very seriously.

"We would like to thank the police cadets and Thurrock Community Policing Team who recently helped test the restrictions on knife sales to minors within the centre.

"We are pleased to report that all attempts to break these restrictions failed, proving the robustness of the measures we have in place."

Meanwhile a firearms surrender is continuing into next week and police are contining to encourage people to surrender any unwanted or unlicensed firearms and ammunition to ensure they do not fall into the hands of criminals.

It will run until 5pm on Sunday, 29 May. During this time members of the public are encouraged to hand in unwanted firearms, ammunition, imitation firearms, and air or gas-powered weapons to one of eight police stations.

In this period, anyone surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession. They can also choose to remain anonymous when handing the items in.

However, this does not mean people are exempt from prosecution if they have committed any firearms-related offence and the history of each weapon will be checked. This is to check whether it has been linked to any crimes.

In the last week:

• A total of 16 firearms, and firearm components, have been surrendered
• About 3,300 rounds of ammunition have been surrendered

Det Ch Inspector Rob Coan said: "Thankfully, crimes in Essex involving firearms are relatively few but we know that firearms can have a devastating impact on people's lives.

"This amnesty will give people the opportunity to safely dispose of any unwanted or unlicensed firearms and ammunition safely, ensuring they do not fall into the wrong hands.

"It may also be that you possess a firearm legally, but you just don't want or need it anymore and want to dispose of it safely.

The knife bin at Grays Police Station.

"Essex has many responsible licensed firearms holders, however there have been a number of changes to the law in recent years and people may not be aware of how these changes affect them.

"There may also be people out there who have inherited weapons from elderly relatives or friends that are actually not legal for them to possess.

"This amnesty gives them the opportunity to surrender the items and not be prosecuted."

The weapons can be surrendered at Grays Police Station. Those wishing to surrender any items are advised to call ahead on 101 so they can be advised on how best to transport the item.

Members of the public can also use the 101 service to arrange for a police officer to collect the weapon.

Det Chief Insp Coan added: "As well as real firearms, we are also keen for the public to hand in imitation firearms, air weapons and BB guns.

"Often it can be difficult to tell an imitation firearm apart from a real one, but the fear and concern felt when one is produced is just the same."

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 prohibits anyone who has previously served custodial or suspended sentences of between three months and three years from possessing firearms or ammunition for a period of five years.

Anyone who has served custodial sentences of more than three years are permanently prohibited.

Additionally, while the Firearms Act 1968 allows antique firearms to be possessed without a certificate as a "curiosity or ornament", changes to the law in 2014 now ensures that anyone prohibited from possessing firearms will be unable to possess antique weapons.