Cheshire Police tackle knife crime and street robbery in national week of action

Cheshire Constabulary has a number of initiatives planned this week supporting two national campaigns tackling both knife crime and street-related robbery.

Starting today, Monday 13 November, and running to Sunday 18 November, the Constabulary will be supporting two national campaigns Operations Sceptre and Calibre, tackling knife crime and street robbery respectively.

Incidents of street robbery can often involve knives or bladed instruments, so these two operations will be running alongside one another over the course of this week to raise awareness of the impact these types of crime can have on individuals and local communities.

This week will also be a great opportunity for the force to highlight the great examples of proactive police work our officers put in on a daily basis keeping Cheshire's residents safe.

Cheshire continues to have one of the lowest rates of knife-related offences in the country, with knife-related violence against the person offences (including threats both verbal and physical or actual harm) falling by 14.6 per cent in the 12 months to August 2023.

The force remains determined to further reduce the number of incidents like these across the county and has developed a multi-faceted approach with its partners as it continues to strive toward creating a safer Cheshire for all.

Activities during the week-long operations will include community knife sweeps across different areas of the county, warrants being executed in relation to knife crime, engagement in the community and visits to local schools and youth organisations, along with the intensification of patrols around hotspot areas.

Superintendent Andrew Blizard, force lead for knife crime, said:

“We are extremely proud that across our wider Cheshire community, knife crime continues to remain low and this week of action is a great opportunity to highlight the great work our officers put in on a daily basis keeping communities and residents safe.

"Despite this, young people in particular have a belief that they will be safer carrying them, and this is a perception that we are determined to challenge as a force.

“When someone chooses to carry a knife, it is only a matter of time before they, or someone else, sustains a life-changing or fatal injury - if you choose to carry a knife you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Justin Hancock, force lead for robbery, added:

"Robbery can have a long-lasting and devastating impact on victims, leaving them with trauma which can affect their lives going forward.

“During the course of this week of action, we will be intensifying patrols in hotspots areas, increasing visibility; targeting those who are intent on committing crime. As well as this, our officers will be visiting local schools and youth organisations across the region, delivering workshops to show young people the impact of robbery and how it effects the future of both the victim and offender.

"With Operation Sceptre running parallel with Operation Calibre this week, our officers will also be arresting any offender’s intent on committing robbery and are found to be in possession of knives or bladed articles."

Anyone who knows someone that carries a knife or has been a victim of street robbery can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously on:

0800 555 111

or via: 

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

Information can also be passed to the force online via: 

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report