Police crackdown on knife crime takes place this week

A POLICE operation to tackle the rise in knife crime in the county has been launched today (Monday).

South Yorkshire Police's week-long campaign - dubbed Sceptre - aims to reduce knife crime through enforcement, action and education.

There will be a range of engagement activities across the county with neighbourhood policing teams holding events in areas identified as being of concern and speaking with young people to raise awareness.

Night-time operations will take place in an attempt to minimise and reduce the risk of violent crime involving knives or bladed weapons.

Force lead for armed criminality Det Supt Una Jennings said: “There has been a rise in our county in offences involving knives and bladed weapons, as there has been across the entire country.

"However, I want to make it very clear this is not going to be tolerated in our city, towns and villages in South Yorkshire.

“We are fully supporting this national operation and we have a week of robust action, operations, engagement events and a wide range of activities, to ensure we reach all those who are, or could be involved or affected by knife crime, and to demonstrate and offer assurance to the public that we are committed in reducing this type of criminality.

“We must raise awareness of the grave and serious consequences that carrying a knife can have, whether it’s carried for protection or status, the fact remains you have a lethal and dangerous weapon in your possession.

“The consequences of carrying a knife or bladed weapon will only ever lead to a devastating and destructive impact on your life.

“You run the risk of up to four-years in prison just for possession, if you use the knife and fatally injure someone, you could receive a life sentence behind bars or, you could be the fatally injured person, and leave your family and loved ones distraught and heartbroken.”

Anyone with information regarding illegal activity can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Find out more search #droptheknife.