Operation Sceptre, a weeklong initiative to tackle knife crime, is underway until Sunday (22nd May).
Hampshire Constabulary is 1 of 43 forces – and the British Transport Police – taking part in the efforts to crack down on knife-enable crime and violence.
The week of action will see an intensification of work that takes place across the county day in, day out to tackle knife crime. It gives Police an opportunity to focus on the different strands of education, engagement, prevention and enforcement, all of which are important in playing a part to reduce knife crime.
Engaging with retailers, youth groups and charities will be an important part of the week. Policing is working to target the root causes of knife crime, and early intervention will aim to stop those intent on carrying a knife. Work with youth groups and charities is a vital part of a community-led policing response.
The Force will continue to work closely with young people to further understand the reasons why individuals carry knives and to educate them around the dangers and illegality of carrying one.
Most importantly, the week will aim to highlight that there are no positives to carrying a knife.
Hampshire Constabulary’s lead for knife crime, Chief Inspector John Halfarce, has said:
“Knife crime can have a devastating impact on families and communities, police forces are working night and day to tackle this problem. Operation Sceptre offers us the chance to concentrate our efforts in tackling knife crime, a significant contributor of violence in the UK.
Article continues below this advertisement “The week will focus on many different areas, including education, engagement and prevention. This is a system wide approach and one we work closely with our partners to achieve. We are intensifying the efforts that take place all year round in getting knives off the streets, potentially saving lives.
“We want those who may be carrying a knife out of fear to come forward and speak with police or an adult that they can trust such as a youth worker, teacher at school, charities or by calling crimestoppers. We want to help young people get out of the cycle of violence and stop the devastation caused to them and their families due to knife crime.
“You will see knife arches, amnesty bins and officers doing weapons sweeps during the week as we work to remove knives and stop serious violence on our streets.”
If you are aware of anyone who carries a knife or have concerns that someone you know may carry a knife, report it to the Police on 101/999 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
I have to say that I wholeheartedly sick and tired of these ‘campaigns’ against so-called knife crime!
IF the Perpetrator is carry a bladed item, the COURTS need to deliver PROPER sentencing. Otherwise it will always just be ‘window dressing’ as far as the Police are concerned.
It is the Court system that is failing even more than the Police!!
How many people die from knives each year on the Isle of Wight? How many die from cars?
what a pile of garbage, 1 week of action when we need 52 weeks of action from our wonderful police to enforce ALL laws not just the odd one they cherry pick and advertise in advance. The island police appear as being totally lazy and dysfunctional and the current methods of reporting crime are a sick and pathetic joke.
While you make some very valid points Reg, one can’t generalise about all officers. There are some excellent individual officers in my experience, who are feeling so frustrated by the system. They want to be effective in tackling crime, but are limited by poor governance and management, not to mention the judicial system – I’ve heard this first hand.
Morale among the force is at an all time low.
We need direct and strong Government action to address this failure, otherwise public confidence will drop even further.