A national week of action to tackle knife crime and violence, known as Operation Sceptre, has launched this week.
Efforts have been intensified to make streets safer in Hampshire and here on the Isle of Wight as officers will be leading activity across all districts with the intent to protect, prevent and educate.
They will be carrying out patrols, knife sweeps, engagement sessions, and educating businesses on the ‘Challenge 25 ID’ approach.
The aim of carrying out this activity is to implement early intervention to prevent young people from becoming involved in violent crimes, by working with businesses, charities, organisations and schools.
As part of the operation, people are being encouraged to leave unwanted knives in surrender bins at police station front counters with Newport Police Station the sole location on the Isle of Wight.
Inspector Sarah Nicholson, Knife Crime Tactical Lead Hampshire and the Isle of Wight said:
“Knife crime continues to be an issue that is destructive to communities and families, not only in our counties but across the country. Throughout this week, officers will be working relentlessly in all districts to tackle knife crime and violence as part of Operation Sceptre.
“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will be working alongside the Violence Reduction Units, including health and charities funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commission to aid prevention and engagement on knife crime and those at risk of carrying knives or been victims or affected by knife crime.
Article continues below this advertisement “Many young people carry a knife out of fear they might be harmed or because they’re being pressured too, but what they don’t realise is that they are then at a greater risk of being injured or killed themselves, even if they’re the ones carrying the knife.”
“Our main overlying objectives are to protect the public and communities and prevent knife crime. This will be achieved through a number of targeted approaches, which include surrender bins; a visible policing presence using hotspot patrols as part of a you said, we do approach, and engaging with young people in schools and facilitating knife arches. ”
“An integral part of tackling knife crime and violence is having the public report their concerns and or suspicions to us, and we have partnered with the charity, Fearless and they will be supporting our efforts across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Fearless is an independent charity who provide young people a service to pass information on about a crime 100% anonymously. It’s completely separate from the Force, but it allows us to know about a crime and investigate without identifying the person who reported it.
“If you or someone you know may be carrying a knife then please contact the Police, someone you trust who is an adult, a charity or contact Fearless anonymously. Help us to help you, speak up today or someone you love could become a victim of knife crime.”
Changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 means that is now an offence to possess certain items such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in private. Other sections of the Act include an updated definition of flick knives to reflect changes in weapon designs and the banning of private possession of flick knives and gravity knives.
If you are someone you care about is concerned is hiding or carrying a knife call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55 111, or Fearless campaign website www.fearless.org/en/give-info. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
I’ve got a wild idea, how about police officers out walking around the streets like they used to do in the ‘old days’?
Yes, I know it can be a bit wet and windy sometimes and it’s not as comfy as sitting behind a desk or in a car, but it’s just a thought that it could be quite effective at deterring crime.
God forbid! Where do you get such notions?
A “bobby on the beat” is basically just a deterrent in a radius of a few hundred metres of where they currently are. They cannot quickly respond to any incident more than a kilometre or so away.
They are basically scarecrows.
Do you think £40k a year is good value for a scarecrow?
The only way to tackle knife crime is to lock the stupid ba*tards up. So what if the cells are overcrowded, they are in prison because they have broken the law. Chuck them all in together, who cares. The police arrest these idiots and the judges let them off. Theresa May said anyone carrying a knife would serve jail time. That didn’t happen.
A bin in Newport police station……
Despite those with a buggy full in the family who will have to say otherwise, the main reason that courts don’t give meaningful sentences to criminals is because our prisons are filled with our own, but NOW a huge proportion of more recent ‘arrivals’
So whilst those who feel uneasy at saying it as it is, the rest of society know this, so unless our own criminals do worse crimes than those, then there is very little chance a prison sentences will be given.
They know this, hence have lost fear of the law, as they know, unless their crime is so bad, no chance of getting sent down EVER AGAIN.