Norfolk's Police say there's been a "good reaction" to anti-knife crime efforts
This year's 'Operation Sceptre' has seen a greater police presence and exhaustive searches for blades
Norfolk's Police officers tell us they've seen a "good reaction" to their week-long effort to tackle knife crime.
This year's 'Operation Sceptre' has seen a greater police presence and exhaustive searches for blades in our public spaces.
Officers have also visited schools and spoken to businesses to raise awareness of the issue as part of the annual push.
"We are just trying to keep people safe"
Sergeant Gary Owen is from Norfolk Police:
"People first look and see officers rummaging through bushes and using metal detectors and instantly think that something has gone wrong.
"But we try and get the message out that we are just trying to keep people safe, and our presence is not necessarily led by intelligence.
"In the last few hours we have managed to find a 10 inch kitchen knife, hidden in a bush. So we're really pleased with that, as we don't want it on the streets. We've also managed to find a wanted person, as well."
"Just let somebody know, even if it's just a suspicion"
He told us what this week involves:
"It's all about proactively looking for anything that has been discarded or put away for future use. We will come out to an area and target a specific area and officers will go out and have a look around.
"If you believe that there is somebody carrying a knife, please come and tell us. You can use crime-stoppers, anonymous or you can just let us know.
"If you see a policing unit out and about in your area, come and let us know. Just let somebody know, even if it's just a suspicion."
How serious is knife crime in Norfolk?
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that knife crime has decreased by nearly 10% in Norfolk, in the last year.
The same figures show this type of crime has increased by 15% in Suffolk and 8% in Essex, over the same time period.
Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire have recorded falls of 13% and 20%.