'Several arrests' made in Dorset during week-long knife crackdown
Police have also been talking to young people about the dangers
Dorset Police say they've made 'several arrests' as part of a nationwide campaign to crackdown on knife crime.
Operation Sceptre was held between Monday 14th and Sunday 20th November, with extra high-visibility patrols carried out in Dorset.
We're told officers also visited individuals known to carry weapons, giving them information about the dangers and implications of knife crime.
More than 2,300 young people across the county took part in education sessions, across 15 schools.
British Transport Police used a knife detection arch at Bournemouth Train Station to disrupt the transport of knives into Dorset too.
Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police said:
“Knife crime is a top priority for Dorset Police. The Op Sceptre initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to reducing reported knife crime offences across the county.
“We take a proactive approach to education and prevention around this crime type, including engaging face-to-face with pupils in schools and universities.
“We take all reports of knife crime very seriously and will continue to both educate the public and remove knives from the streets to pursue those who carry knives and commit offences with weapons. We encourage the public to continue to report any suspicions or concerns to Dorset Police or CrimeStoppers UK.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick, said:
“Thankfully, Dorset is one of the safest places to live in the UK and doesn’t have the same extent of knife crime issues that plague other areas of the country - but there is no room for complacency when it comes to dealing with knife crime in our county.
“Op Sceptre centres on taking knives off our streets and out of use and I applaud the work that Dorset Police have done in taking such proactive steps during this national week of action. Making arrests, educating our young people and working with partners at BTP to have a knife arch at one of our busiest train stations are exactly what I and the people of Dorset want to see happening. My thanks go to all the officers and staff involved in such a busy and productive week.
“We have all seen the devastating effects that knife crime can have on the families of those who have to deal with the tragic loss of loved one and the affects that knife crime and violence can have on communities. That is why tackling this issue continues to be a top priority for Dorset Police and why violence reduction is a specific area of work highlighted in my Police and Crime Plan.”