Hundreds of knives handed in and more than 50 arrested as Thames Valley Police clamps down on knife crime

More than 300 knives and bladed articles were handed in and more than 50 people arrested across Thames Valley during the Operation Sceptre campaign.

As part of a national knife crime week of action that ran from Monday, November 15, to Sunday, November 21, Thames Valley Police conducted a series of activities, and the public were reminded of the permanent knife amnesty bins placed at police stations across the Thames Valley.

This was to prevent unwanted knives from finding their way onto the streets.

In total 312 knives and bladed articles were handed in – 70 in Berkshire, 68 in Oxfordshire and 174 in Berkshire.

A number of other activities were undertaken across the force to tackle knife crime and 38 knife related arrests were made.

This included 58 inputs to schools by officers to educate and inform students of the dangers and fatal consequences of knife crime.

In addition to this, 52 test purchase operations were carried out in partnership with Trading Standards, Cadets and police volunteers at stores across the Thames Valley to spot check age compliance with the sale of knives, with an overall 87 per cent pass rate.

Chief Inspector Chris Young, tactical lead for knife crime, said: “Operation Sceptre is part of our ongoing proactive work to reduce knife crime across the Thames Valley.

“This work demonstrates our continued efforts to deliver a number of activities to reduce the threat of knife crime, protect our local communities and raise awareness of the dangers involved.

“Part of our work on this operation has involved an increased police presence in our communities, with officers engaging with the public and disrupting crime throughout the week of action.

“Because of this, a total of 52 arrests were made during our work on Operation Sceptre.

“It is great to see that the public have supported this campaign so positively, helping us to tackle knife crime and I would encourage local communities to continue to safely dispose of their knives via our knife amnesty bins throughout the year.”

Detective Superintendent Stan Gilmour, director of the Thames Valley violence reduction unit, said: “With every Operation Sceptre we seek to raise awareness across our communities of the dangers of knives.

“While the police continue to take action to tackle those who carry weapons, we all – right across our communities – have a role to play in keeping each other safe.

“If you have concerns that someone is vulnerable and may be drawn into crime or carrying a knife, speak to someone – the police, school, any trusted professional – let’s get them the right support and prevent future tragedies.

“And if you have information on someone carrying or using weapons, involved in violence, report it to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

“Only by working together, with everyone playing a part, can we keep our communities safe and prevent knives ruining any more lives.”