Constabulary supporting national operation to tackle knife crime

Cheshire Constabulary is gearing up to support a national campaign aimed at keeping knives off the streets and educate young people about the dangers of carrying bladed weapons.

Starting today, Monday 15 May, and running to Sunday 19 May, Operation Sceptre aims to reduce the impact of knife crime in our communities.

Cheshire continues to have one of the lowest rates of knife-related offences, with knife related offences decreasing by 2.4% in the 12 months to March 2023 compared to the previous year.

More recently, our officers have taken a more proactive approach to stop and search, resulting in an increase in the number of people arrested for possessing bladed weapons, helping to remove illegal weapons from our streets.

The force remains determined to further reduce the number of knives carried across the county. As part of this Cheshire Constabulary has developed a multi-faceted approach with its partners as it continues to strive toward creating a weapons-free Cheshire.

Superintendent Andrew Blizard, who is the force’s knife crime lead, said:

“Nationally speaking knife crime is a growing problem, Operation Sceptre highlights the great work our officers put in all year round to keep knife-related incidents across Cheshire low.

“We are extremely proud that across our wider Cheshire community knife crime remains low, but we have seen a significant increase in the amount of people possessing knives and bladed weapons – something we as a force cannot let become normalised.

“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.

“At Cheshire Constabulary we have a structured prepare, protect, pursue and prevent approach for tackling knife crime that involves working with our various partner agencies, including local authorities, third sector organisations, youth representatives and community groups”.

The force’s ongoing efforts in tackling knife crime will be intensified by enforcement and engagement initiatives held in Cheshire during the national week of action.

Activities during the week-long operation will include community knife sweeps across different areas of the county, warrants being executed in relation to knife crime, engagement in the community, amnesty bins and patrols around hotspot areas.

Retailers also have an important role to play and during Operation Sceptre week, officers across Cheshire will be conducting a series of test purchase operations to ensure that weapons are not falling into the wrong hands.

The Force will be working with local businesses to help ensure they have a robust control on the sale of blades, such as kitchen knives as well as educating those who need it on the laws, security measures and verification schemes relating to the purchasing of blades.

Crewe has recently been selected host the Knife Angel, a 27-foot-tall sculpture formed of 100,000 knives seized by 43 constabularies, until the end of May. The sculpture, standing in Memorial Square until Tuesday 30 May, will serve as a poignant memorial to those who have lost their lives to knife crime.

Superintendent Blizard added:

“The Knife Angel returning to our community, along with the launch of our upcoming Knife Crime Strategy for 2023-2026, means there has never been a more pertinent time to address knife crime and how it affects us as a wider Cheshire community.

“Crewe Local Policing Unit and Crewe Town Council will be working with the Safer Cheshire East Partnership to provide a programme of activities covering the many aspects of knife-related crime.

“So far, the Perception Theatre company and representatives from Crewe Local Policing Unit have visited several schools across Crewe to deliver performances of Cut, an original production written in partnership with the constabulary looking that impact knife crime has on young people.

“The team in Crewe will also be rolling out other events such as gang culture workshops and well as emergency first aid demonstrations during the course of the Angel’s stay in the town.”

To report any type of crime involving weapons, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Anyone who knows someone that carries a knife 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.