Over 400 knives have been taken off the streets across Lancashire’s South Division as part of Operation Sceptre, a national week-long initiative to tackle knife crime which took place last week.
Officers from South Division, which covers the areas of Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire, carried out a range of both operational and proactive engagement work throughout the week.
Operational activity included:
· 60 weapon sweeps in local parks and public spaces.
· 23 test purchase visits to check retailers are complying with legislation and not selling knives to those under the age of 18.
· 29 School inputs to raise awareness of the impact of carrying a knife, engaging with hundreds of children.
· 128 Stop searches.
Officers also engaged with the community through educational talks, community visits and leaflet drops.
The knife surrender bins across South Division were emptied, in which 481 knives were recovered. Weapons included flick knives, machetes and a knuckle duster.
Sergeant Rachel Killinger from Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network said: “No good can come from carrying a knife. They are dangerous and by carrying one, you are putting yourself in much greater danger and are more likely to be involved in a violent situation.
“Every incident involving a knife has consequences for all those involved and that is why it’s really important that we continue to carry out this work and send out the message that there is no place for knives in South Lancashire.”
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