A week of action on knife crime in West Yorkshire
High-visibility patrols are taking place in over 66 violence hotspots
Last updated 19th May 2025
West Yorkshire Police are increasing efforts to tackle knife crime as part of a special force-wide operation this week
The force is again supporting the national Sceptre initiative which runs between May 19 25 and aims to reduce knife-related offences and raise awareness about the dangers of carrying bladed weapons.
Officers from Operation Jemlock and Neighbourhood Policing Teams will join colleagues across the county in a series of targeted actions.
Key Activities During the Week, include:
*High-visibility patrols in over 66 knife crime hotspots
*Targeted operations to apprehend individuals wanted for robbery and knife-related offences
*Test purchase operations at retailers across the county, including a focus on online sellers
*Knife sweeps in areas where weapons are known to be hidden
*Public engagement at schools and transport hubs, including knife arches and awareness stalls
There will also be a strong focus on tackling the online purchase of illegal knives, working in partnership with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and other national bodies to identify and disrupt imports.
As part of efforts to promote safer travel, uniformed officers will be deployed at bus stations and interchanges across West Yorkshire.
This operation follows a recent successful prosecution in Wakefield, where police seized 126 illegal combat-style knives from the Mega Pound Store on Kirkgate.
The store owner pleaded guilty in April and was fined, ordered to pay court costs, and cover the destruction of the seized weapons.
The campaign is supported by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), led by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. Since its inception in 2019, the VRP has delivered vital interventions across communities, reaching over 15,630 young people under 25, 1,234 adults, and training 477 professionals in 2024/25 alone.