Spotlight on tackling knife crime, as Sceptre’s week of action returns

Today (Monday 13 May) marks the start of a national week of action to tackle knife crime called Sceptre, which will run until Sunday 19 May 2024.

Op Sceptre is our Force approach to tackling knife crime and this national week of action co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council takes place twice a year, and supports the same aims to raise awareness of knife crime and the police action in detecting, reducing and preventing it.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC) will be co-ordinating additional policing activity and working closely with partners including the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Violence Reduction Unit, local authorities, public health, youth workers and charities to protect communities and young people from the threat of knife crime.

The week of action is also an opportunity for people to surrender any knives or any bladed article that could be used as a weapon at one of the surrender bins, which are located around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

It also supports the wider work of the HIOW Violence Reduction Unit in raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime and educating young people - both of which are key to prevention.

Chief Superintendent, Clare Jenkins, lead for Serious Violence in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary, said:  “It’s important, that our communities are aware that although we have weeks of actions to tackle knife crime, it is a year round initiative. As a Force and with the Violence Reduction Partnership, we are consistently undertaking significant work to reduce and disrupt serious violence in our towns and cities.

“Seizing knives and arresting high-harm offenders is our priority but it creates a perception that it is the solution, rather than part of a wide-reaching, holistic approach to knife crime. Working with partners is key in our work to tackle knife crime, policing cannot do this alone.”

Officers will be undertaking a range of activities including targeted operations, engagement and education to reassure young people they are safer not carrying knives, and to walk away from harm.

Some of the increased police activity will include:

• Additional high visibility patrols, particularly in hotspot locations and targeting repeat offenders
• Promoting the surrender bins that are located around the force for people to deposit knives and other bladed weapons safely and anonymously
• Working with partners to promote Challenge 25 when people can buy knives
• Working with schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives
• Conducting weapons sweeps for hidden or discarded knives
• Staffing knife arches at transport links and other locations in order to detect and deter people from carrying knives

Inspector Sarah Nicholson, tactical lead for Knife Crime, said: “Policing uses a multifaceted approach to tackling knife crime including; stopping the sale and supply of knives solely intended to harm, understanding the drivers behind knife carrying, identifying opportunities to focus on current and potential knife-carriers , finding and seizing knives and supporting our communities to feel safe. 

“We know it can be worrying to hear about people being injured or killed by knives but carrying a knife yourself doesn’t make you any safer and can put you more at risk. A knife usually makes a situation much worse.

“The reality is that very few people carry knives but if someone you know is carrying a knife you can report it to the police, speak to a trusted family member or teacher, or you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers or their youth brand Fearless.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, said: “It takes just seconds for a family to be torn apart by knife crime. This week of action is an opportunity to talk and engage with as many communities as possible to push home the message that knives destroy lives.

“I am deeply concerned about the number of young people involved in violent crime. Young people, particularly young males, are carrying knives because they don’t feel safe without one. This is a fundamental breakdown in society and I don’t want this happening in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“In my first term as PCC, I introduced a Violent Crime Task Force which is 11 dedicated police officers, a Sergeant and an Inspector who are focused on reducing serious violence. This Task Force works as part of the Violence Reduction Partnership which brings together 25 agencies from across the two counties to tackle the root causes of violence. This partnership approach and collective responsibility is the way forward.

“As my second term is now underway, I’m determined to take more knives off the streets and make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer. There are too many victims of serious violence and I urge everyone to support not only this national week of action but to work together each and every day to drive down knife crime.”

The topic of knife crime can be a scary one, and you can get support through the charity www.barnardos.org.uk and you can also speak to us by calling 101 and asking for the local Neighbourhood Team. In an emergency, always call 999.

Anonymous reporting is available through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org