POLICE are stepping up the fight against knife crime in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire Police will be taking action in a bid to prevent knife crime as part of Operation Sceptre this week.
Warwickshire officers will execute a range of tactical operations, such as targeted stop and searches, weapon sweeps and test purchases of knives from shops.
The force will set up knife surrender bins at police stations and take mobile units with bins to various community locations, allowing knives to be disposed of safely and anonymously.
Officers will work in partnership with agencies, educational bodies and others to deliver awareness and prevention initiatives in the county.
And they will be reminding retailers it is illegal to sell knives and bladed items to under 18s, and offer guidance to ensure adequate prevention measures and processes are in place.
They will also promote new laws which make it a criminal offence to possess certain dangerous weapons – the likes of knuckledusters, zombie knives and Shuriken/Death Stars among others.
Supt Mike Smith, from Warwickshire Police, said: “Although knife crime remains low in Warwickshire compared to many other force areas, we are totally committed to doing all we can to ensure our streets remain safe and feel safe.
“Operation Sceptre provides a great opportunity to reinforce work that our officers undertake all year round to tackle knife crime in the county.
“People who have knives that they do not need, or no longer wish to carry, are urged to take this opportunity to dispose of them safely. Knives can be taken to police stations in Leamington and Nuneaton or deposited in mobile bins as our officers visit various community locations. This will ensure that these items never fall into the wrong hands, with potentially devastating consequences for victims and their families.”
