A national week of action tackling knife crime, known as Operation Sceptre, took place last week between 15th – 21st May, when Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary alongside other forces across the country carried out policing operations and activities with partners, schools and organisations to make our streets safer.
Officers focused their efforts throughout the week on relentlessly pursuing criminals known to carry offensive weapons, who are involved in criminal activity, but also to use the Op Sceptre week of action to focus on the prevention and education of young people about the dangers of carrying a weapon.
123 knives were disposed of across the Force region by members of the public using the knife surrender bins that were installed in 16 locations in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
During this week of action, there was an increase in stop searches, from 63 to 142, compared to Op Sceptre last November, with 14 knives recovered and 17 arrests, as part of targeted patrols and intelligence-led policing.
Test purchases
During the week, 88 test purchases were carried out in total, in eight of our districts. Officers, along with Council Licensing teams and Trading Standards, used volunteers to test purchase knives with a combination use of under 18s and under 25s to test the ‘Challenge 25’ policy businesses should be following.
Of the 41, Under 18s operations, five failed; and of the 47 ‘Challenge 25’ operations that took place, 16 failed. Three of the businesses that failed were issued with community resolutions and the others have been given advice.
Nicholson: The operation has been a huge success
Knife Crime Tactical Lead for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary, Inspector Sarah Nicholson, said,
“Throughout the week of Operation Sceptre, Officers have carried out intelligence-led activity across all the districts, concentrating on knife crime hotspots and focusing on those individuals known to carry knives. They have also focused on preventing knife crime, engaging with communities, carried out knife sweeps and promoted education around the dangers of carrying knives. The operation has been a huge success with some excellent results and community engagement to prevent knife crime has been carried out in every District.
“We’ve also been working very closely with the charity, Fearless, who have been an excellent support in engaging and educating young people around the dangers and ramifications of knife crime. We launched an impactful campaign together that highlighted the truths surrounding knife crime, raising awareness around reporting crimes anonymously, and encouraging them to not carry a knife for their own safety and the safety of others. The response has been incredible.
“Knife crime will continue to be a priority for us, beyond the national week of action, to ensure people feel safe in their communities. We will continue to work with partners and will relentlessly pursue criminals who choose to carry a knife and be involved in criminal activity.
“I would like to thank all our partners who have worked with us to engage and educate and make Hampshire and Isle of Wight a safe place to live and visit, as well as all those who surrendered knifes during the week.
“I would encourage anyone who knows anyone carrying a knife or in fear from knife crime to report this via one of the links below, as we need the community to help us identify those individuals involved in knife crime and prevent harm.”
Jones: Has helped make our communities safer
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, said,
“My pledge, as Commissioner, is to ensure that everyone who lives, works or visits Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can walk the streets without fear of violence or intimidation.
“Operation Sceptre has helped make our communities safer because each knife taken off our streets is a potential life saved.
“I have been so pleased to see the results from this intensified week of action from engaging with young people to proactive patrols, and I will continue to do everything I can to ensure the force is equipped to tackle knife crime and serious violence.
“That is why here in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the Violence Reduction Unit and the Violent Crime Task Force, which I have committed £3million worth of funding to, are at the very heart of tackling violent crime long term.”
Find out more
Find out more about knife crime and what you can do here: Hampshire: New campaign launched to highlight ‘truth about carrying a knife’.
To report a crime call 101 or in an emergency it’s 999.
You can report a crime anonymously through Crimestoppers or Fearless.
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed
