Cheshire tackles knife crime as week of action yields positive results

Last week officers from across the Constabulary intensified their efforts in tackling knife crime as part of a national week of action.

Running from Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November, the Constabulary supported Operations Sceptre and Calibre, which sought to tackle knife crime and street robbery respectively.

With many incidents of street robbery often involving knives, the two operations ran in parallel, with officers visiting schools and youth organisations across the county to provide education and awareness on how choosing to carry a knife, will almost always result in them, or someone else, sustaining a life-changing or fatal injury.

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

Superintendent Andy Blizard, Force Lead for Knife Crime, said:

"Following on from the Operation Sceptre week earlier in the year, we have stepped up our approach to stop and search, which has resulted in more bladed weapons being found throughout the county; this mentality of needing to carry a knife to feel safe is something that Operation Sceptre has played a significant part in challenging.

"Across this past week, the Constabulary has been intensifying its efforts in tackling knife crime, through methods including increased police presence in hotspot areas, the deployment of knife amnesty bins and knife arches and collaborative work with our various partner agencies, local authorities and youth representatives.

"This, the second of two Operation Sceptre weeks for 2023, has been a great opportunity to highlight the equally great work conducted by our officers as the force continues to strive toward creating a weapons-free Cheshire."

39 knife sweeps were conducted in parks and public areas across the county, with only three bladed articles were seized by officers.

Two of the knives were located in the Vickersway Park area of Northwich and safely disposed of by PSCO's from the Beat Team conducting the sweeps. 

In Macclesfield, members of the community voluntarily came forward and surrendered 54 knives to PCSO's who had deployed a knife amnesty bin in Poynton.

PC's in Handforth also arrested a 33-year-old man on possession of a bladed article.

As well as this, our officers have been visiting local schools and youth organisations across the region, delivering workshops and talks detailing the impact of knife crime and street robbery can have on those who carry offensive weapons and those they use them against.

Superintendent Blizard added:

"Over the past week we've been engaging with younger members of the Cheshire community, with our officers visiting local schools and youth groups.

"Widnes Local Policing Team also deployed knife arches in high schools across the town, revealing no bladed articles were being taken into schools by pupils - which was great to see.

“Our goal is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county and we endeavour – through education, awareness and action – to make Cheshire an area where no-one carries a knife, or feels that there is a reason to do so."

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

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