MORE than 260 blades were recovered, surrendered or seized in a week of action against knife crime.

Operation Sceptre, the national week of action against knife crime, took place from March 11 to March 17, with action undertaken by Hampshire Constabulary.

Officers carried out test purchase operations of knives from identified retailers, high visibility patrols, local engagement activity, weapon sweeps and use of surrender bins as part of the week of action against knife crime, nationally recognised as Operation Sceptre.

Over the course of the week of action:

• There were 55 weapon sweeps in the force area with 26 knives recovered

• 19 knife-related arrests were made

• 140 knives recovered or seized

• 97 knives were discarded in surrender bins across the Force

• 50 engagement/education events including joint operations with British Transport Police and the Ministry Of Defence.

• Retail premises were visited and 25 test purchases carried out, resulting in six failures.

The operation aims to highlight the risks that carrying a bladed weapon can bring, as well as targeting offenders who use and carry knives.

Knife crime lead for Hampshire Constabulary, Temporary Superintendent Claire Taylor, said: “Even though levels of knife crime in Hampshire and Isle of Wight are low, there is a continuing concern nationally around knife crime, which has seen an increase following a downward trend.

“Tackling violence remains a key priority for the Force and we intend to keep up the momentum. The work around knife crime is on-going daily business tackling knife offences, arresting those who carry knives and confiscating dangerous weapons.”

“In our week of action operations we targeted habitual offenders in crime hotspots, resulting in arrests and weapons seized. We also worked with Trading Standards to identify retailers who are failing to meet their responsibilities under the law on selling.

“Equally important is the community engagement we have been carrying out in our towns and cities – informing and educating the public about knife crime and how they can help prevent it. We have been supporting the Knife Free campaign led by the Home Office encouraging under 18s to not carry weapons.

“We take knife crime very seriously, and as part of my role sitting on the National Working Group, we will be working with our partners to look at best practice across the country to reduce the access to and the use of knives in crime. This will be considered to identify opportunities to tackle knife related criminal activity occurring in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.

"We are also fully committed to engaging and working in accordance with the Home Office Serious Violence strategy. Our commitment has been, and will be, moving forward to work in partnership with communities, local authorities and other agencies to reduce the prevalence of serious violence."

“Our primary focus is on those vulnerable people living within our communities who could be targeted by others connected with drug and knife-related crime, which can have a devastating impact. Part of this would not be possible if it wasn’t for residents letting us know about suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods. The information you give us helps us to build a real picture of what is going on and where we need to focus our resources."

Speaking about the week of action on knife crime, Michael Lane, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “This week of action by the force is important and it is encouraging to see some significant and far reaching results, not only in terms of knives seized and arrests but also in terms of engagement with partners and local communities.

"Real progress in reducing knife crime takes sustained action, focus and commitment by all agencies involved across all sectors of community. Policing must play its part alongside community safety, health education and youth support. As important as tackling the crime and its consequences is tackling the root causes of the crime and enabling early intervention to protect young people and keep them out of the criminal justice system.

"It is important that we all use the momentum of the awareness, action and enforcement of this week to continue to prevent and tackle serious violent crime and knife crime to keep our communities safer."

If you notice unusual activity in your street, or you are concerned about someone carrying a knife, please let us know, either by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.