21 bladed items surrendered in county during Operation Sceptre

Stop searches, school visits and test purchase operations were undertaken during the week

88 knives and bladed articles were handed in across the Thames Valley during Operation Sceptre last week.   21 of those were in Oxfordshire.

Operation Sceptre is a national week of action to challenge and reduce the threat of knife crime.

A knife amnesty bin was placed at Banbury Police Station and other stations across the area.   This allowed members of public to dispose of unwanted knives safely, in order to prevent them from finding their way onto the streets.

During the week officers across the force carried out a number of proactive activities in an effort to tackle knife crime, which included 128 stop searches with 38 knife related arrests made and 7 weapons seized.

81 schools visits were undertaken using a range of tactics to engage with students on the dangers and fatal consequences of using knives.

And 178 test purchase operations were carried out to spot check age compliance for the sale of knives.

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.

“During the week of action, there has been an increased police presence in our communities, with officers engaging with the businesses, young people and working in partnership to disrupt crime.

“As a result, a total of 128 stop searches were made resulting in 38 arrests and 7 weapons removed from our streets. This demonstrates our continued efforts to disrupt knife crime and reduce serious violence.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported this week of action and all those who continue to support us to tackle knife crime and make our communities a safer place.”

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Published: 26/05/2022 12:43pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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