Over 250 knives recovered following national week of action tackling knife crime

As part of a national campaign aiming to reduce the impact of knife crime in our Cheshire communities, over 250 knives and bladed articles have been recovered from across the county.

Sceptre (the campaign formerly known as “Operation Sceptre”) is a national campaign led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council focusing on tackling knife crime and bladed weapons‑related offences in our communities.

In Cheshire, the most recent figures have shown a 12% reduction in knife crime across the county, with the force working hard to ensure this downward trend continues.

Running from Monday 18th May to Sunday 24th May, this year’s campaign saw a particular focus on children and young people. Officers and community partners visited 38 schools and youth organisations across Cheshire, delivering educational inputs and demonstrations surrounding the dangers of knife crime and gang culture.

Officers also worked with the young people of Cheshire in conducting test purchase operations at 21 retailers across all nine Local Policing Unit areas, educating retailers on the correct laws and regulations that prevent blades falling into the wrong hands.

Proactive operations that ran over the week included knife sweeps across our town centres and parklands, more than 50 community meetings and public‑facing engagements, and deployments at our railway stations, ensuring those travelling to, from and through Cheshire via train can do so safely.

Residents were also given a number of opportunities to safely dispose of any knives, bladed weapons and knuckle dusters into designated surrender points across the county.

These combined efforts from officers from multiple departments across the county resulted in a total of 250 weapons being recovered.

Chief Inspector Joe McNally, Cheshire Constabulary’s Knife Crime Lead, said:

“Over the course of May's Sceptre week, we saw some great examples of community engagement and partner relationship building that will help us continue to push the message that Cheshire is a hostile environment for anyone who chooses to carry a weapon.

“We have been busy working with our partner organisations, including local councils, charities, third‑sector organisations, young people and community groups, in conducting a number of activities such as knife sweeps, the delivery of safety demonstrations and the rolling out of knife arches and surrender bins in densely populated areas.

“Our officers have also been visiting the county's retailers along with colleagues from trading standards to conduct test purchase operations, ensuring that knives are not falling into the wrong hands. It was very reassuring to see that the majority of retailers are aware of the relevant rules and regulations surrounding the purchasing of what can be lethal weapons.

“When it comes to issues as serious as knife crime, it is so important that everyone feels that they can come forward to us with any concerns so we can take swift and immediate action and keep our communities safe."

Area results:

• Macclesfield - 70
• Widnes - 59
• Crewe - 38
• Warrington - 37
• Runcorn - 16
• Chester - 11
• Northwich - 10
• Congleton - 10
• Ellesmere Port - 0