National Police Chief’s Council knife surrender in March took 10,000 knives off the streets of Britain

A week of intensified action on knife crime has resulted in police arresting 1,372 people, including 516 for a knife related offence, and seizing more than 10,000 weapons.

All police forces joined Operation Sceptre, which used a range of tactics, like weapons sweeps and intelligence-led stop and search, between 11 and 17 March. During the week 1926 stop and searches were conducted leading to 136 arrests. Other outcomes of the searches included cannabis warnings and arrests for other offences.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Knife Crime, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Duncan Ball, said: “Operation Sceptre brought together all 44 police forces in England and Wales in a coordinated effort to take knives off our streets and bring those intent on using them for violence to justice.

“The increase in knife crime in recent months and years is very concerning and as a society we have a responsibility to act. Police officers work incredibly hard all year round to make our communities safer but this operation sends a clear message that there are consequences for carrying a knife or selling one illegally to a child. Police officers will work with other agencies to consider what support those arrested need to prevent them picking up a knife again.

“Police cannot tackle violence alone and this week of intensification involved work with schools, charities, the health service, Trading Standards and communities to eradicate knife crime and keep people safe.”

Humberside Police lead for Op Sceptre is Superintendent Joanne Roe, she said “I am really pleased with the number of knives that have been handed in from our area and it is good to see how we have contributed to this national campaign.

“505 knives and weapons were handed in during the week of the surrender in knife bins across our force with some bins getting a lot more knives handed in than others.  The most were handed in at Hull and Grimsby.

“We will be taking part in the next knife surrender in September 2019 but if anyone wants to hand a knife or weapon in you can call 101 to arrange for them to be handed in.

“We continue our #NoMoreKnives campaign and are visiting every Secondary school in the Force area to give a presentation and talk to students about the dangers of carrying knives.”

Read the full article on the NPCC website: https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/police-seize-more-than-10-000-knives-in-one-week