Police share details of latest arrests in relation to knife crime. Ed
Officers throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have held a week of action in support of the national anti-knife campaign, Operation Sceptre.
The operation, which began on Monday, April 25, saw officers in the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton carrying out a number of activities to take knives off the street and educate young people about the dangers associated with knives.
Chief Inspector Claire Taylor, said:
“Operation Sceptre is an anti-knife crime initiative which was started by the Metropolitan Police. Hampshire Constabulary is one of the forces across the UK which has adopted the campaign and brand.
“Fortunately gang related knife crime is very rare in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, therefore our focus is on four areas: tackling and disrupting the supply of knives, targeting those who carry and use knives, preventing people from getting involved in knife crime and increasing prosecution.
“We are also working with partner agencies, young people, and retailers, through education and intervention activities as part of Operation Sceptre.”
Educating pupils on the dangers
During the week of action officers in the three districts engaged with pupils from local schools. On some occasions the engagement was via leaflets or emails, and on other occasions officers went into the schools and set up a stand where pupils could come up and speak with them.
The key objective was to talk to the young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives, as well as being there for them to discuss any concerns they may have.
Officers in Southampton visited the local YMCAs and City Centre licensed premises to deliver leaflets and posters for display in staff areas.
There were a number of knife related arrests throughout the week, as follows:
- A 30 year old man from Cowes, has been charged with sixteen offences of possession of a knife / sharp pointed article in a public place. He will appear at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on May 31. The charge comes after a member of the public reported seeing a man with a knife in Newport on April 29.
- A 31 year old man from Southampton has been charged with possession of a knife / sharp pointed article in a public place. He will appear at Southampton Magistrates Court on May 17. The charge comes after officers responded to an incident at around 9.30am on Wednesday, April 27 where a man had pointed a knife at someone on Above Bar Street.
- A 36 year old man from Havant has been charged with common assault and possession of a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place. He will appear before Portsmouth Magistrates Court on May 31. The charge comes after a man threatened a member of staff at the Co-op store, Winter Road, Southsea on the evening of April 29.
Image: didbygraham under CC BY 2.0
