Wiltshire Police launch Operation Sceptre to tackle knife crime
Forces across the country are raising awareness all this week
Last updated 14th Nov 2022
Wiltshire Police are warning people about the dangers of knife crime this week as they join a national week of action.
The bi annual awareness campaign, Operation Sceptre, focuses on raising awareness of knife crime and what forces are doing to try to reduce it.
Superintendent Phil Staynings said:
“Campaigns like Op Sceptre are vital to highlight knife crime but our work in protecting the public to ensure that knives do not make it onto our streets continues day in, day out.
“Our officers and staff use every tactic available to reduce the number of knife incidents, but we can't do this alone. By working together with our partners and supporting communities we know that we can be more effective, responsive and take steps to prevent people, usually young people, carrying and using knives.
"Education plays a vital part too. The work with schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young people about the dangers of knives is as important as enforcing the law."
Appeal for community to help
Superintendent Phil Staynings added;
"Information from the community can also help - giving us the very useful intelligence to tackle these crimes.
“Families and friends are usually the closest to those who may be carrying a knife, they will be the first to see the signs and they can take the bravest step and seek help and advice.
“We need our communities more than ever to pull together and support the police in giving evidence about those who carry knives.
“You can contact us on 101, through our website or anonymously via Fearless.org or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. “
'Worrying' rise in crimes involving knives rise
Wiltshire has seen an increase in crime involving the possession of a knife, with it rising by 48% over the last year.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, admits that is 'worrying.'
He's stressed efforts to engage with young people and warn them of the dangers of carrying a knife are being stepped up:
"Through our early intervention programmes and working with our partners, we need to tackle the culture around carrying a knife head on, understand why people do it and convince them, either through education or through more punitive measures, that carrying a knife can have devastating consequences for everyone involved."
"My office is already working with schools and local councils to create an engaging education package to support what our local Neighbourhood Policing Teams already deliver.
"It’s through this work and through more visible policing, with more officers on our streets, that we will make a positive impact in reducing knife crime and making Wiltshire a safer place to live and work."
Operation Sceptre runs from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 November.