Police across England and Wales have arrested more than 1,700
people during a week of targeted operations to tackle knife
crime.
Operation Sceptre, which is run by forces every six months on top
of their day to day activity targeting violence, is a week of
intensified action to take weapons off the street, arrest
habitual carriers of knives and educate young people on why
carrying a blade is never the right choice.
Between 16 and 23 September officers arrested 1,733 people, with
382 of those relating specifically to knives. The other arrests
were for a wide variety of offences including drugs and going
equipped to steal.
All 43 of the police forces in England and Wales and the British
Transport Police took part in the week.
Weapons sweeps at 1185 locations resulted in police finding 234
knives or other weapons that had been hidden for potential later
use.
There were 708 test purchases at various retailers with 120
stores failing and selling a knife to a person under the age of
18. Retailers found to be breaking the law can face up to six
months imprisonment, a fine of £5,000 or both. Other tactics
included stop and search, speaking to communities and events at
schools and youth clubs.
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime,
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Duncan Ball, said:
“Police across the country are tackling the rise in knife
crime every single day but Operation Sceptre gives us a
coordinated week of intensified action against those who carry
knives and retailers who sell knives to under 18s.
“The week’s results send a clear message that
we will target and prosecute habitual knife carriers.
“There is still much work to do and we continue to work
with schools, charities, the health service, Trading Standards
and communities to eradicate knife crime.”
The latest ONS figures show knife crime is at its highest level
since 2011. The statistics show the increase is slowing, going
from 14 per cent increase to the year ending June 2018 to 7 per
cent for June 2019.
Police officers will now work with other agencies to consider
what support those arrested need to prevent them picking up a
knife again.
Ends.
Notes to editor
Full results
-
In total 9373 knives were recovered, surrendered or
seized.
-
Weapons sweeps: 1185, resulting in 243 weapons
seized
-
8827 knives surrendered
-
A total of 1733 arrests, 382 of these were related to
knives (Other offences included possession of drugs)
