Operation Sceptre ran from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 May 2023 and saw all 43 UK police forces and the British Transport Police, take part in intensified efforts to crack down on knife-enabled crime and violence.
Throughout the operation, Devon & Cornwall Police carried out various activities including visits to habitual knife carriers, retailers and schools to provide education and advice; stop and searches, executing search warrants and making arrests.
During the week, Devon & Cornwall Police managed to remove 25 knives from the streets and received 279 surrendered knives in local amnesty bins. Knife crime intervention talks at 39 schools were conducted as well as 18 knife crime related community engagement events conducted.
On top of that, 68 retail premises were visited,14 stop and searches were carried out and 6 people were arrested for a mixture of knife-related offences, including possession and use.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne of Devon & Cornwall Police said, “We have been proactive during this national week of activity and I am pleased to see how much has been achieved. Our aim, as always, is to raise awareness around knife crime and to protect our communities.
“We take knife crime very seriously and will continue to educate the public by providing inputs in schools, to local retailers and providing advice at community engagement events. It is important that people understand that carrying a knife puts you in danger, it does not protect you.
“Although the Devon and Cornwall area remains one of the safest places to live in the country, we will continue to work hard to remove knives from our streets.
“Those who cause harm will be prosecuted. We encourage the public to report any suspicions or concerns to police or to CrimeStoppers UK.”
For information and advice about knife crime, how to talk to young people about knives, or support in relation to knife crime, please visit one for the websites below:
Nottheone.co.uk (this is a South Wales Police product, endorsed by Devon & Cornwall Police)
If you have any information about knife crime in your area, or someone you know is carrying a knife, please contact Devon & Cornwall Police online at Report a crime | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk) In an emergency, always dial 999.