More than 20 arrests during knife crime crackdown in Sussex
Police have been speaking to schoolchildren across the county about the dangers
Police have made 26 arrests during a week of action to tackle knife crime in Sussex.
Operation Sceptre takes place twice a year, with the latest operation from November 14th to 20th seeing officers speaking to almost 2,000 children about the dangers of carrying a knife.
Members of the force held seven on-street engagement events using an engagement van, taxi rank briefings and street briefings.
158 bladed articles were surrendered throughout the week through amnesty bins at train stations, as well as 23 knives recovered through search warrants, direct arrests and weapon sweeps.
To stop knives getting into the hands of teenagers the force also conducted 39 test purchases; 36 passed, while three failed.
Minster for Policing, Crime and Fire Chris Philp MP visited Brighton on Wednesday, November 16, alongside Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the force leads for serious violence and knife crime Chief Inspector Simon Yates and Sergeant Liz Reschwamm, and Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne.
Sussex Police Chief Inspector Simon Yates said:
"It’s important to emphasise that Sussex is a safe place to live.
"Although this work is being highlighted as part of Op Sceptre, be assured this activity takes place in the background while the light is not shone on it. The concentrated work in hotspot areas is driving knife crime off our streets.
"A thank you goes out to the hard-working officers and volunteers who are carrying out this activity within our communities.
"There will continue to be amnesty bins across the county for people who want us to destroy their bladed weapon."
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows Sussex recorded 57 knife offences per 100,000 population in the year ending June 2022, which is lower than the national average of 84 per 100,000 based on the 37 forces who use this methodology.
Figures show since 2019 knife crime has dropped by 50% in the 15 hotspot areas across the county. Each hotspot covers an area of approximately 150m² where serious violence is most concentrated.