Op Sceptre: Leicestershire Police carry out 'knife sweeps'
Officers are encouraging anyone with a blade to dispose of them safely in amnesty bins at police stations across Leicestershire
Last updated 16th Nov 2023
Police in Leicestershire and Rutland are focusing on tackling knife crime, as part of this week's Operation Sceptre.
Officers have been carrying out 'knife sweeps' in the community, as part of nationwide efforts to crackdown on the problem.
They've joined other forces across the country in the week of action to educate young people around the dangers of carrying weapons.
Sgt Steph Burnham, of Leicestershire Police, has been in charge of recent knife sweeps and said there are ways to safely dispose of blades:
'Most of our police stations have got an amnesty bin. If you've got a knife or a weapon that you want to give up, please come to the police station and pop it in our bin.'
'This work that we're doing happens all the time, not just during Op Sceptre. We quite often have knife arches out during our night time economy, we proactively arrest our knife crime suspects.'
'There are people to speak to, there are programmes you can go on. You don't have to speak to the police, but please speak to somebody to get the help you need so that you don't become a victim, or that you're not arrested.'
What else happens during Operation Sceptre?
The national seven-day operation is aimed to reduce knife crime by disrupting the supply of blades available, as well as target those carrying the weapons.
As well as knife sweeps, other operational activities taking place this week include:
- Deployment of knife arches
- Visits to habitual knife carriers
- Stop searches
- School visits
A priority for officers during the week of action is to liaise with shops and online knife sellers.
Neighbourhood teams will also work to identify knife retailers operating locally and foster positive relationships with them.
Knife amnesty bins across Leicestershire are located in police stations at:
- Charnwood
- Beaumont Leys
- Braunstone
- Hinckley
- Keyham Lane
- Mansfield House
- Melton
- Spinney Hill stations