Devon and Cornwall Police will 'keep working hard' against knife crime after Operation Sceptre
The national week of knife crime awareness saw police forces across the country taking part
Last updated 1 day ago
Devon and Cornwall Police say they'll keep working hard to keep our region one of the safest places to live in the country.
They say during the national week of effort - Operation Sceptre - nearly 280 knives were surrendered, with dozens removed from the streets.
All 43 police forces took part in the week of action between 15 and 21st May, alongside the British Transport Police, which saw 'intensified efforts' to crack down on knife-enabled crime and violence.
Devon & Cornwall Police carried out visits to habitual knife carriers, retailers and schools to provide education and advice; stop and searches, executed search warrants and made a number of arrests.
Stats by the force have revealed:
- 25 knives were removed from the region's streets
- 279 knives were surrendered in local amnesty bins
- 39 schools hosted knife crime intervention talks
- 18 knife crime related community engagement events were carried out
- 68 retail premises were visited by the police
- 14 stop and searches were carried out
- 6 people were arrested for knife-related offences
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne of Devon & Cornwall Police said: “We have been proactive during this national week of activity and I am pleased to see how much has been achieved. Our aim, as always, is to raise awareness around knife crime and to protect our communities.
“We take knife crime very seriously and will continue to educate the public by providing inputs in schools, to local retailers and providing advice at community engagement events. It is important that people understand that carrying a knife puts you in danger, it does not protect you.
“Although the Devon and Cornwall area remains one of the safest places to live in the country, we will continue to work hard to remove knives from our streets.
“Those who cause harm will be prosecuted. We encourage the public to report any suspicions or concerns to police or to CrimeStoppers UK.”
For information and advice about knife crime, how to talk to young people about knives, or support in relation to knife crime, visit Victim Support, Crimestoppers, #NotTheOne, and if you have any information about knife crime in your area, or someone you know is carrying a knife, get in touch with Devon and Cornwall Police.