2024/7

Spear & Jackson (Tools) Ltd. (Manufacturer)

Billhook, acquired in Aylesbury, from the Thames Valley Police knife amnesty. A billhook is an edge tool used in hedging, coppice work and other woodland trades, and the tool shows great regional variety with each area having its own accepted pattern and shape. This 'Neverbend' billhook was made by Spear and Jackson, its label still on the handle.

1 billhook; wood, metal

Museum Object Entry form - 1 x Swagger/sword stick (acquired in Reading). 1 x Curiously bent reaping hook/sickle (acquired in Reading). 1 x Spear and Jackson billhook (acquired in Aylesbury). 1 x butcher's cleaver by G. Rushbrooke Smith Ltd (acquired in Aylesbury). All objects handed in anonymously as part of Thames Valley Police knife amnesty, led by TVP violence reduction unit., MERL Miscellaneous note - Thames Valley Police actively targets knife crime and those who carry knives. Each year they have two weeks of targeted activity and raising awareness in May and November, known as Operation Sceptre. TVP collect knives in permanent amnesty bins in police stations and other locations in the community. Using the bins members of the public can dispose of knives and bladed articles in a safe and legal way. The bins are regularly emptied and the contents carefully disposed of. In November 2023, 337 knives were handed in at the knife amnesty bins in the region. In Reading there are amnesty knife bins at Reading police station, Waitrose Car Park in Caversham, Cintra Park, Coley Park Community Centre, Kensington Park, Orts Road and Tilehurst Triangle. In Aylesbury there are amnesty knife bins at Aylesbury police station and Southcourt Baptist Church in Penn Road.

Wood, Metal