Operation Sceptre: Over 1,300 knives recovered in Lancashire during week-long crackdown
and live on Freeview channel 276
The operation works to target those who choose to carry dangerous weapons, raises awareness of the consequences, and engages with retailers who sell bladed articles.
Operational activity throughout the week included 28 weapon sweeps in public areas, test purchasing at 29 retailers, eight search warrants and a total of 206 stop and searches.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOfficers emptied Lancashire’s 17 surrender bins located around the county and recovered 1,312 weapons from inside them.
Weapons included machetes, cleavers and a variety of knives.
Chief Insp Dave Oldfield, from Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network, said: “Every year, we really focus on protecting our communities within Lancashire and the results of this operation show just that.
“Our activity combines both enforcement and prevention tactics, which allows us to engage with so many different people within our county.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“By working together with communities, we can continue to reduce violence, prevent future victims and bring offenders to justice.
“We strive to make Lancashire a safer place for everyone and will continue our hard work to do so.”
Local colleges, community groups and police cadets also assisted police and got involved with some of the initiatives throughout the week.
Proactive engagement work included school and youth club visits, community meetings and a social media question and answer session.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAndrew Snowden, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner said: “These are great results and every single one of these dangerous weapons removed from our streets makes the county safer.