A Cheshire Police crackdown on knife crime has netted dozens of weapons and led to 10 arrested.
Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Cheshire pursued suspected knife crime offenders, took dangerous weapons off the streets and educated pupils about the dangers of carrying such weapons as part of Operation Sceptre.
In total, 10 people were arrested on suspicion of knife related offences, 45 knives were seized, 18 knife sweeps carried out, and 79 people stopped and searched.
Knife Crime Warning Notices were handed out to 12 people believed to be habitual knife carriers.
Officers also held talks in 28 schools – seven in person and 21 virtually – regarding important knife crime messages for pupils.
And they visited 55 retailers that sell knives to give product placement advice and ensure age-restricted sales policies are being followed.
It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18.
They also ran pop-up police stations at three estates and held drop-in sessions at three community venues.
Bleeding Control Kits were handed out to a wide range of community venues across the county, including at supermarkets, shopping centres and education providers.
Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, who is Cheshire Constabulary’s knife crime lead, said: “The work that could be done during the latest national week of action was restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Government guidelines that we all have to follow.
“We had to cancel some of our plans for the week and adapt others – for example not allowing members of the public take part in the knife sweeps we conducted – but nothing was going to stop us from continuing to tackle knife crime offenders and protect the people of Cheshire.
“Police dogs and one of our drones were utilised in some of the activities we undertook as part of Operation Sceptre.
“We stopped and search anyone suspected of carrying a weapon and used all of the other powers at our disposal to combat weapon enabled crime.
“We also executed warrants related to knife crime and paid warning visits to people believed to be habitual knife carriers.
“We take knife crime extremely seriously and are proud of the fact that Cheshire has a lower rate of knife crime than most other counties in England.
“When people carry knives it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life changing injuries or is killed, and if you carry a knife then you are much more likely to be involved in a knife crime.
“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.
“We make sure they know that carrying a knife, even if they have no intention of using it, is a crime and can increase the likelihood of suffering an injury and having a criminal record.
“We also steer them away from criminality and offer them attractive alternative ways to spend their time.
“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.
“However, the police cannot achieve this goal on our own. Knife crime is a societal problem that cannot be solved without the support of the whole society.
“If you have any information regarding knife crimes or those who carry weapons please let us know.
“If you know someone who carries a knife then reporting it to the police could be enough to save a life.”
To report any type of crime involving weapons call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Information can also be passed to the force online 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
(Pic: Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School Head Teacher Beverley Scott-Heron with a Bleeding Control Kit given to the school by Police Constable Ian Hampson, left, and PCSO Tony Spruce, right)
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