30-year old-man Daniel Joyner of Arctic Road, Cowes has been charged with 16 offences of possession of a knife/sharp pointed article in a public place following a week of action by Hampshire Constabulary in support of national anti-knife campaign, Operation Sceptre.
The operation, which began on Monday 25th April, saw officers on the Isle of Wight, in Portsmouth and in Southampton carrying out a number of activities to take knives off the street and educate young people about the dangers associated with knives.
A member of the public reported seeing a man with a knife in Newport on 29th April, resulting in the arrest of Daniel Joyner. He will appear at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday 31st May.
Chief Inspector Claire Taylor, said:
“Operation Sceptre is an anti-knife crime initiative which was started by the Metropolitan Police. Hampshire Constabulary is one of the forces across the UK which has adopted the campaign and brand.
“Fortunately gang related knife crime is very rare in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, therefore our focus is on four areas: tackling and disrupting the supply of knives, targeting those who carry and use knives, preventing people from getting involved in knife crime and increasing prosecution.
“We are also working with partner agencies, young people, and retailers, through education and intervention activities as part of Operation Sceptre.”
During the week of action officers in the 3 districts engaged with pupils from local schools. On some occasions the engagement was via leaflets or emails, and on other occasions officers went into the schools and set up a stand where pupils could come up and speak with them.
The key objective was to talk to the young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives, as well as being there for them to discuss any concerns they may have.
