The Home Office has hosted a briefing for police forces across the country on knife crime. Some 29 police forces expected to take part in the next week of work under Operation Sceptre, the largest number since it launched two years ago.
Sarah Newton, Home Office Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism said: “Knife crime has devastating effects on victims, families and communities. I am hugely encouraged that a record 29 forces have signed up to be part of next month’s Operation Sceptre and I hope more join in the next couple of weeks. We must break this cycle of violence and address the perception of young people who say they need to carry a knife to protect themselves. Let me be clear – knives have no place on our streets – and the Government is committed to working with the police to tackle this issue.”
Operation Sceptre is a series of weeks against knife crime, including targeted stop and searches, weapon sweeps, test purchases of knives from retailers, and the use of surrender bins. During a previous week of the operation in October 2016:
– 21 police forces across the country took part
– more than 1,200 weapons were seized
– more than 300 arrests made; and
– more than 720 knives were placed in amnesty bins.
The event at the Home Office was held with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the Metropolitan Police. In a speech to attendees, Sarah Newton set out the government’s approach to tackling knife crime. This approach included:
– working with police and law enforcement, including by supporting Operation Sceptre
– tightening the law, for example through the introduction of mandatory minimum custodial sentences for repeat convictions and a ban on zombie knives
– working with retailers to prevent the sale of knives to under 18s; and
– promoting and providing early intervention by working with the voluntary sector.
