Op Sceptre: West Midlands Police share stats after week of action
Officers from West Midlands Police conducted numerous weapon sweeps, and around 49 stop searches specifically related to Sceptre
West Midlands Police are sharing the stats after taking part in Op Sceptre - a national week of action aimed at reducing knife crime and serious youth violence.
Officers say they conducted numerous weapon sweeps, and around 49 stop searches specifically related to Sceptre, in areas identified as hotspots for knife crime.
This led to the recovery of over 18 knives and 43 arrests.
They also engaged with local communities and youth groups, to educate young people and parents about the consequences of carrying knives - with the focus on supporting victims of knife crime and promoting prevention programmes.
More than 250 extra patrols were carried out in the week in areas known for anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and knife crime.
After information was provided to the force, police say they were able to search 12 premises known for selling weapons and exploiting vulnerable people.
Along with local authority partners, officers were able to do undercover operations with retailers to stop the supply and sales of knives to those under the age of 18.
'Reducing knife crime is a priority'
Speaking on our successes during Sceptre week, Inspector Kate Jeffries, from our Guardian Taskforce, said: “Reducing knife crime, and serious youth violence, is a priority for the force. We welcome intensification weeks like Sceptre to bring awareness, education, and greater partnership working across the West Midlands.
“We have acted against those exploiting vulnerable young people and causing serious harm to others. Working with partners is key to our work to tackle knife crime, policing cannot do this alone.
“We will continue to remove weapons from the streets and disrupt violence through focused attention on each of our policing areas, Project Guardian task force teams, specialist drones and dog unit, and through school inputs and education.
“We urge anyone who has information about knife crime, the sale of knives, or suspected exploitation of young people to report this to the police immediately.”
The message is that a knife usually makes a situation much worse.
The reality is that very few people carry knives but if someone you know is carrying a knife you can report it to the police, speak to a trusted family member or teacher, or you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or talking to them online.
You can find out how to ditch the knife, and talk to your child about knife crime on the West Midlands Police website.