Majority of knife crime intel comes from the public, police say
We're urged to report our concerns about knife crime to officers
Wiltshire Police tells us around 90% of its knife crime intelligence is generated by the public.
This week, Forces across the country have been clamping down on knife-related violence as part of Operation Sceptre.
We joined police in Salisbury for a weapons sweep in Bemerton Heath near Salisbury, and while nothing of significance was found, officers are keen to check areas where items could be concealed.
They utilise their own knowledge of local areas and intelligence from the public to conduct these searches to ensure no dangerous items are hidden.
PC Marc Evans told us that it's part of a wide range of activities throughout the week.
"We've visited schools, youth clubs and hospitals where patients have turned up with knives," he said. "It's good to engage with schools about knife crime, get out in the public and talk to them, they'll have a face to the name and know who to call when they want advice."
He told us the majority of intel comes from having a strong relationship with the public.
"Without working with the public, we wouldn't know 90% of the things we do," PC Evans said. We can report concerns about knife crime anonymously through 101 and Crime Stoppers, or by emailing our local neighbourhood police team.
PC Evans urged us to report our worries or information about knife crime, saying: "We can work together to make Wiltshire a safer place."