A national week of action known as Operation Sceptre, a campaign to tackle knife crime and violence, has launched this week starting today on Monday 15th May and will end on Sunday 21st May.
Efforts have been intensified to make streets safer in Hampshire and Isle of Wight as officers will be leading on activity across all districts with the intent to protect, prevent and educate. They will be carrying out patrols, knife sweeps, engagement sessions, and educating businesses on the ‘Challenge 25 ID’ approach.
The aim of carrying out this activity is to implement early intervention to prevent young people from becoming involved in violent crimes, by working with businesses, charities, organisations and schools.
As part of the operation, people are being encouraged to leave unwanted knives in surrender bins at police station front counters; as well as a handful of other locations, all listed below:
- Newport Police Station, Isle of Wight
- Andover Police Station
- Aldershot Police Station
- Totland Close, Farnborough
- Havant Police Station (between 15th – 17th May, 8am – 8pm ONLY)
- Southampton Central Police Station
- The Northern Police Investigation Centre, Basingstoke
- The Tythings, Yateley
Nicholson: Destructive to communities and families
Inspector Sarah Nicholson, Knife Crime Tactical Lead Hampshire and the Isle of Wight said,
“Knife crime continues to be an issue that is destructive to communities and families, not only in our counties but across the country. Throughout this week, officers will be working relentlessly in all districts to tackle knife crime and violence as part of Operation Sceptre.
“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will be working alongside the Violence Reduction Units, including health and charities funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commission to aid prevention and engagement on knife crime and those at risk of carrying knives or been victims or affected by knife crime.
“Many young people carry a knife out of fear they might be harmed or because they’re being pressured too, but what they don’t realise is that they are then at a greater risk of being injured or killed themselves, even if they’re the ones carrying the knife. Our main overlying objectives are to protect the public and communities and prevent knife crime. This will be achieved through a number of targeted approaches, which include surrender bins; a visible policing presence using hotspot patrols as part of a you said, we do approach, and engaging with young people in schools and facilitating knife arches.
“An integral part of tackling knife crime and violence is having the public report their concerns and or suspicions to us, and we have partnered with the charity, Fearless and they will be supporting our efforts across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Fearless is an independent charity who provide young people a service to pass information on about a crime 100% anonymously. It’s completely separate from the Force, but it allows us to know about a crime and investigate without identifying the person who reported it.
“If you or someone you know may be carrying a knife then please contact the police, someone you trust who is an adult, a charity or contact Fearless anonymously. Help us to help you, speak up today or someone you love could become a victim of knife crime.”
Jones: Every opportunity is being taken to make our communities and our streets safer
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, said,
“Knife crime and associated serious harm has a devastating impact on families and communities and as Commissioner I’m committed to tackling knife crime with a zero tolerance approach.
“Operation Sceptre’s week of action brings to the forefront the need to focus on early intervention, education, and prevention, specifically with young men who are most at risk.
“I recently announced that I’ve dedicated £3million worth of funding to fight violent crime across the two counties with the re-launch of a Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and a Violent Crime Task Force to tackle the complexities of violent crime.
“The VRU is a multi-agency approach which brings a broad range of partners together to make sure the root causes of serious violence are being identified and tackled head on. This plan of attack, combined with focused policing, ensures that every opportunity is being taken to make our communities and our streets safer.”
Offensive Weapons Act 2019
Changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 means that is now an offence to possess certain items such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in private.
Other sections of the act include an updated definition of flick knives to reflect changes in weapon designs and the banning of private possession of flick knives and gravity knives.
Find out more
More information regarding the recent change in legislation is available via the Government Website.
If you are someone you care about is concerned is hiding or carrying a knife call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55 111, or Fearless campaign Website. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed
Image: davepaterson under CC BY 2.0
