Supporting Operation Sceptre to reduce knife crime

Last week staff from across Cheshire Constabulary supported Operation Sceptre, the national week of action to tackle knife crime.

The seven-day initiative, which started on Monday 15 November, was devised to reduce the impact of knife crime in communities throughout England and Wales.

During the week of action, officers pursued suspected knife crime offenders, took dangerous weapons off the streets and educated people about the dangers of carrying such weapons.

Cheshire has the second lowest rate of knife crime in the country and officers are continuing to work proactively to improve this further.

Throughout the week they conducted a number of events, initiatives and actions, which resulted in them:

• Arresting eight people on suspicion of knife related offences
• Seizing nine weapons
• Conducting 48 knife sweeps
• Stopping and searching 78 people
• Handing out Knife Crime Warning Notices to 12 people believed to be habitual knife carriers
• Completing 41 engagements with schools to deliver important knife crime messages for pupils
• Visiting retailers that sell knives to give product placement advice and ensure that age-restricted sales policies are being followed (it is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18)

In addition, 16 Bleeding Control Kits and associated training was given to a wide range of community venues across the county, some of which include supermarkets, shopping centres and education providers.

The kits and training was provided by Knifesavers and contain equipment and instructions that enable members of the public to prevent knife crime victims from bleeding to death.

Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, who is Cheshire Constabulary’s knife crime lead, said: “We take knife crime extremely seriously in Cheshire and are proud of the fact that we have a lower rate of crime involving knives than most other counties in England, but we won’t rest until we achieve our goal, which is to achieve weapons-free streets throughout the county.

“However, we cannot achieve this goal on our own. Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of everyone, so with support and by providing education and awareness we want to make Cheshire an area where no one carries a knife, or feels that there is a reason to do so.

“We have a structured prepare, protect, pursue and prevent approach to tackling knife crime that involves various partner agencies, including local authorities, education providers, health authorities, third sector organisations, youth representatives and community groups.

“We work together throughout the year to achieve long-term change by educating young people about the dangers and futility of carrying weapons.

“If you have any information regarding knife crimes or those who carry weapons please let us know or phone Crimestoppers anonymously. Reporting it could be enough to save a life.”

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, added: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved in this week of action. It goes to show the positive steps taken in Cheshire to tackle knife-related issues.

“2018 saw a peak in the number of knife-related offences in Cheshire, but since then, thanks to the tremendous work of Cheshire Constabulary and partners we’ve seen a 60% decrease.

“As well as the proactive stance of removing knives from our streets, education is a key tool in our arsenal.

“Educating young people on the consequences of becoming involved in knife crime is important so they understand that carrying a knife doesn’t make them safer.”

To report any type of crime involving weapons phone 999 in an emergency or non-emergencies can be reported via:

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

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.

Pictured - Officers pictured during Op Sceptre knife sweep.