We're opening up the conversation around knife crime in Greater Manchester

Following recent events across Greater Manchester and the rest of the country, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is urging members of the public to ‘open your eyes to knives’.

The rise of knife crime is a worry and fear for many communities across Greater Manchester and GMP are seeing a large number of knives being hidden in public places and used for crime purposes rather than being carried by the offender.

In response to public concern, GMP is launching its new campaign ‘Open Your Eyes to Knives’ today (Monday 11 March) to raise awareness of the dangers of knives and bladed articles hidden in our communities.

Visitors to GMP’s Social media platforms will be asked to spot the knife hidden in a number of images released during the week across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, encouraging conversation around what is often a difficult subject to address.

Supporting Operation Sceptre, a national week of action running from the 11 – 17 March the campaign will run alongside GMP’s operations over the coming weeks and months to tackle knife crime, incorporating a range of policing tactics including hotspot targeting and stop and search methods.

Greater Manchester Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: ““It’s a sad fact that people are not only carrying knives, but are now also hiding weapons in and around public places and that can be very worrying for members of the public.

“The more knives that are on the streets only leads to one outcome – more people getting hurt - and we are determined to act to stop these implements getting into the wrong hands.

“To ensure police and partner resources are targeted in the communities where they are needed most, we are asking the public to be aware and report any knife sightings to us reduce the circulation of weapons in our communities.”

If you have concerns about someone you know or care about carrying or hiding a knife, or if you are aware that knives are being concealed in your community call the Police on 101 or talk to us via LiveChat on the GMP website