Merseyside Police and its partners have been successful in removing almost 250 knives and dangerous weapons from the streets as part of a national week of action to tackle knife crime. The initiative, known as Operation Sceptre, took place between Monday 13 November and Sunday 19 November and was implemented as part of a nationwide attempt to reduce the number of people carrying knives, increase understanding of the dangers of knife crime and provide alternative options for young people at risk of criminal activity. During the week, a knife surrender campaign occurred at 10 police stations across Merseyside, with 170 weapons handed to police by members of the public. Further weapons were recovered from proactive stop searches and arrests of 35 individuals.
Despite the progress, Merseyside Police remains committed to further reducing knife crime. The force is one of four currently trialling Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs), through which officers monitor individuals with live orders and conduct stop searches. The police have already secured 50 SVROs since the orders’ introduction.
Included in Operation Sceptre were 64 community meetings and school events during which officers took the opportunity to educate attendees on the dangers and consequences of weapon carrying and how police are making efforts to address the problem. Secondary school students designed several knife crime prevention posters containing powerful messages urging an end to violence and less use of knives.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, praised the work done by law enforcement agencies and their partners to reduce knife crime and violent offences, but noted that more must be done. She acknowledged that education was crucial to ridding the streets of knives and that events such as Operation Sceptre provide the authorities with the chance to work with the public, protect lives and reduce crime. Anybody with information about a person carrying a knife or engaging in criminal activity was encouraged to contact either 999, 101 or the social media desk. Confidential reporting was also possible through Crimestoppers
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