700 bladed weapons seized across West Mercia

More than 700 knives have been handed in as part of Operation Sceptre.

West Mercia Police conducted a series of activities in support of Operation Sceptre, the national week of action to challenge and reduce the threat of knife crime.

Op Sceptre ran from Monday 16 May to Sunday 22 May with knife amnesty bins in place at police stations across the force area. These allow members of the public to dispose of unwanted knives safely in order to prevent them from finding their way onto the streets.

Overall, a total of 705 knives and bladed weapons were surrendered throughout the week as well as eight found in weapons sweeps, which are searches conducted in areas known for weapons being deposited.

Knife surrender results by Local Police Area:

• Herefordshire 128
• Shropshire 102
• Telford & Wrekin 160
• South Worcestershire 91
• North Worcestershire 228

In addition, 11 arrests were made and 78 knife sweeps were carried out as part of the week of action.

Officers across the force also carried out a number of other proactive activities in an effort to tackle knife crime, which included visits to schools and colleges by officers to educate young people in the dangers of carrying a knife.

A number of retail engagements and operations took place, as well as officers attending community meetings and conducting high visibility patrols, media events and town pop up stands.

Chief Inspector Helen Kinrade said: “As a force we are totally committed to reducing the threat of knife crime within our communities across all three counties, and reducing the number of victims of knife crime.

“Operation Sceptre is a national week of action that highlights our work to tackle this crime type, however, it is important to stress that our work continues beyond this week of action and our officers are working every day to reduce the number of knives being carried and the number of people being hurt by them.

“As always the public play a very import part in helping to keep knives off our streets, as they are able to help us by being an extra pair of eyes and ears in our fight against serious violence and knife crime, and by making a report to us you could help save a life.”

If you are worried that someone you know is carrying a knife, please report it. We can then take the necessary steps to safeguard them and identify those responsible. If you need to report a knife related crime to police, please report it to us online via our website call 101 or dial 999 in an emergency if there is an immediate danger to life.