Sussex Police joins campaign against knife crime
The county has seen an increase in knife crime.
Sussex Police is uniting with forces up and down the country in an effort to tackle knife crime.
Operation Sceptre is a national week-long campaign which launched yesterday (9 November).
It aims to tackle the danger that knife crime poses by educating those most at risk and carrying out proactive work that takes knives off the streets.
Sussex has seen an increase in knife crime, in line with national trends.
The vast majority of young people (99 per cent of 10 to 29 year-olds) do not carry a knife, but Sussex Police has said bringing violence and knife crime down is a "top priority", adding they are "determined" to get knives off the streets for good.
The force has warned that carrying a knife for protection is not a defence in law and even being caught with someone carrying one can result in a sentence if you are caught.
Last month saw the introduction of a specially designed van telling real-life stories from those whose lives have been affected by knife crime.
Superintendent Stu Hale said knives and dangerous weapons have "no place on the streets of Sussex":
"We are determined to reduce the risk of knife-related harm by working together and making our message on knife possession crystal clear.
"Operation Sceptre is an opportunity to discuss knife crime in an open and honest way.
"We want to send the message to young people that carrying a knife is dangerous and can have serious consequences.
"Carrying a knife does not make you safer, in fact it puts you at more risk of being a victim.
"Addressing the root causes of knife crime is essential in tackling it.
"This is why we’re combining educational activities and amnesty with targeted, intelligence-led operations to both raise awareness among at-risk groups and disrupt crime in action.
"We have year-round operations to address knife crime including engaging with young people in schools, the launch of our knife crime engagement van and work with partners to ensure people are signposted to help at an early opportunity.
"We also work hard to target disrupt prolific offenders, through the Tactical Enforcement Unit and are intensifying our activities through days of action - which means individuals carrying knives are increasingly likely to be caught and prosecuted.
"This anti-knife week is also a crucial reminder that there is help out there for those who do not feel safe."
Tactics will include targeted high visibility and plain-clothes patrols across the county.
Other activity includes target stop and search against habitual knife carriers and previous offenders and weapon sweeps by police officers.
Knife amnesty bins where people can safely dispose of dangerous or unwanted knives and blades will be in place at police stations across Sussex.
The week is being supported by Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne:
"Sussex Police remain steadfast in their commitment to taking prolific offenders off our streets, preventing knife crime and tackling serious violence.
"Operation Sceptre is a great opportunity to take the time to educate our young people of the dangers and life changing consequences of carrying a knife before it’s too late.
"Please remember that all knives can kill and maim and just by carrying one you are putting yourself and others in grave danger.
"The message is clear – lose the knife not a life."
Meanwhile National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Knife Crime, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty, added:
"Police forces up and down the country work tirelessly in bringing violent offenders involved in knife crime to justice.
"While the causes and drivers of knife crime are complex, early intervention and putting in place measures to tackle the root causes are absolutely essential.
"Policing plays the pivotal role in enforcement activity, but also has a role in supporting communities and local agencies to come together to prevent knife crime.
"By working together with our partners, we know that we can be more effective, responsive and ultimately improve people's lives.
"Operation Sceptre builds on the work we already do with partners like Border Force and Trading Standards to stop the flow of illegal and dangerous knives that end up in the hands of our young people.
"This activity forms part of our wider, ongoing work with the Government, schools, health and social services and charities to explore what more we can do as a whole society to tackle knife crime."
Knife crime can be reported online or by calling 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
Alternatively, it can be reported anonymously here.