Arrests made and weapons seized in week of action in Southampton to tackle knife crime

From Monday 16^th May to Sunday 22^nd May, officers in Southampton supported Operation Sceptre, a national week of action to challenge and reduce knife crime. Here are some of our highlights from the week:

• Southampton West Neighbourhoods Policing Team carried out a knife sweep in the west of the city, seizing three knives and a crossbow.
• 31 stop and searches all related to knife crime were carried out in the city
• 10 knives were handed in to amnesty bins we set up
• Four arrests connected to knife crime were made
• One of these arrests took place at 1.20pm on 20 May in Lodge Road, Southampton. We received a report that a teenage boy had assaulted a social worker and damaged her car in Tennyson Road. Officers located the boy and upon arresting him in Lodge Road found a samurai sword in his rucksack and a flick locking knife in his hoodie pocket. The 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating of an emergency worker, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and common assault. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue. The weapons have been seized.
• Tactical cycle patrols in hotspot areas during the week
• Extra officers were on patrol in the night time economy (pictured) on Friday 20^th May and Saturday 21^st May to detect people carrying knives. Knife arches and knife wands were used outside venues.
• Officers went into schools to educate pupils about the dangers of carrying a knife. Among them was PC Richards, who visited Oasis Academy Sholing every day that week to do talks in small groups with Year 8 students (pictured). He said: “At the start of each session I asked: ‘Give me a legal reason for you guys to carry a knife in public?’ At every session a student replied ‘For self defence!’ This is not a legal reason or defence!”
• Just before the week began, on 13 May, officers conducting an address check in Manor Farm Road found and seized a zombie knife.

Chief Inspector John Halfacre, tactical lead for knife crime said: “With every operation, we seek to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives. While the police continue to take action to tackle those who carry weapons, we all have a duty and role to help keep each other safe.

“If you have concerns that someone is vulnerable and maybe drawn into crime or carrying a knife, speak to someone – the police, school, any trusted adult / professional – let’s get them the help they need and prevent future tragedies. In addition, if you have any information about someone carrying a knife or using weapons involved in violence, report it to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

If you are aware of anyone who carries a knife or have concerns that someone you know may carry a knife, please report it to police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.