SCEPTRE week ends as West Midlands Police continue focus on knife crime prevention
Events and targeted patrols have been taking place across the West Midlands
A week of intensified knife crime prevention and enforcement activity under the SCEPTRE initiative has come to an end in the West Midlands.
The national operation has seen police carry out targeted patrols, stop searches and engagement work alongside schools and community partners across the city.
West Midlands Police say the work is part of a wider effort to reduce serious violence and increase safety in communities.
Speaking during school engagement sessions in Wolverhampton, Assistant Chief Constable Paul Drover said it was important to reach children early.
“It’s really important to talk to our Year 6 pupils as they come towards the end of primary school and prepare to move on to secondary school,” he said.
He said early intervention is key to preventing future harm.
“There’s never a bad time to have a conversation around safety and knife crime,” he said. “At no point can carrying a knife give you safety.”
He said young people often carry knives due to fear, but warned of the consequences.
“A lot of people that carry knives don’t feel safe themselves, but they are exposed to such significant risk,” he said. “A moment’s decision will last with them forever.”
Officers were joined during the sessions by families affected by knife crime, who shared personal stories about the impact of violence.
The Assistant Chief Constable said the aim was to encourage young people to seek help and speak to trusted adults.
“There’s always help out there… whether it’s parents, teachers, police officers or online support,” he said. “There’s always an alternative to carrying a knife.”
He said while police activity plays a role in tackling violence, education and partnership work is equally important.
“If you carry a knife in the West Midlands, my teams will be looking for you,” he said. “You will be stopped, you will be arrested, and you will be put before the courts.”
“But that’s only one part of this. Working with children and understanding their fears is just as important in keeping people safe.”
He added that national awareness weeks help reinforce ongoing work rather than replace it.
“You will never change the world in one week,” he said. “But these weeks are useful to bring messages together and raise awareness. The real work happens day in, day out.”
The SCEPTRE initiative brings together police forces across the country in a coordinated effort to tackle knife crime through enforcement, education and prevention activity.
West Midlands Police say their focus will continue beyond the week of action, with ongoing patrols, school visits and work targeting those involved in supplying knives.