POLICE are intensifying operations against knife crime this week as part of a nationwide crackdown on the dangers associated with carrying a blade.
During Operation Sceptre, police across England and Wales are ramping up activities from education to weapon sweeps.
The crackdown began on Monday and police are using a variety of initiatives designed to protect communities from knife-related crime and violence.
It is not the first time that Operation Sceptre has been used by police services up and down the country.
In November 2020 Sussex Police removed almost 600 knives from the public as part of the scheme.
This week, the force is putting out “no questions asked” knife amnesty bins, allowing people to discard potential weapons anonymously and without fear of arrest.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne is backing the initiative as she pursues efforts to “help educate and reduce serious violence and knife crime”.
Officers are raising awareness of the dangers of knife possession among young people who are vulnerable and at risk of carrying a weapon by working with partners including the Sussex Violence Reduction Partnership to “share positive messages to young people on living knife free”.
They are also working to “educate and engage with young” people and carrying out “intelligence-led patrols” which have resulted in significant arrests in previous Operation Sceptre campaigns.
In a post on social media, Sussex Police wrote: “The #OpSceptre campaign from Monday, May 16, will enhance our year-round proactive work to keep local communities safe from knife-related crime and violence.”
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