Thames Valley Police launches week-long anti-knife crime operation
Police in Thames Valley have launched their bi-annual week-long knife crime prevention operation.
Last updated 13th Nov 2023
Every year, Thames Valley Police joins other forces across the country in the week-long anti-knife crime operation.
The bi-annual operation, called Sceptre, is dedicated to tackling knife crime both from a preventive and proactive approach.
In Thames Valley, the key focuses are on the interception of weapons upon arrival within UK territory, and police visibility in areas of high crime.
"...we work very closely with border force who share intelligence with us about people who have managed to order a knife..."
Chief Inspector for Thames Valley Police, Jade Hewitt, said: "We are seeing a lot of irresponsible online retailers selling weapons, and unfortunately those have fallen into the hands of children."
"It's really important that we work very closely with border force who share intelligence with us about people who have managed to order a knife or those people who have attempted to order a knife and it's been intercepted by border force."
In Buckinghamshire, where the force operates, there is a high focus on incriminating and persecuting those who carry knives.
Superintendent at Thames Valley Police, Lewis Prescott-Mayling, said: "Those people that may have carried a knife or committed knife crime on more than one occasion get specific areas of focus from us so they may be subject to bail conditions or early arrest."
"If they do go into custody with a knife we have a principal that we look to remand them in custody and send them to court."
"Being visible in the community is key, it encourages our community to share intelligence with us..."
Throughout the week, the force is planning on increasing police presence in areas known for crime across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
High police visibility is said to act as a deterrent, and allow forces to gain intelligence on criminal activity.
Ms Hewitt said: "Being visible in the community is key, it encourages our community to share intelligence with us, to tell us the areas that they think have issues, and that's very important for us to build up the picture and to support the community."
The week-long operation will further include sessions with youngsters to educate them of the dangers of carrying knives, and encourage them to 'drop' them.