More than 50 arrests in week of action to tackle knife crime

MORE than 50 arrests were made across South Yorkshire during a week of police action to tackle knife crime — and 55 knives were recovered including machetes, samurai swords, flick knives and lock knives.

Fifty-seven people were arrested during Operation Sceptre, a national week of intensive action, which saw teams across the force carry out a range of enforcement activity to tackle knife crime, as well as education and engagement activities designed to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife.

A range of weapons was surrendered into knife bins located across the region, as well as being recovered in sweeps of open spaces and arrests of suspects.

Forty-eight weapon sweeps were carried out in areas where it is suspected knives may have been discarded, and eight weapon bins were across the area.

Eleven warrants were carried out, as well as 84 stop searches, leading to the 57 arrests for a range of offences.

More than 20 of the arrests were directly knife crime-related and included suspected offences such as possession of a bladed article.

Engagement and education activities were carried out in 42 schools, while officers listened to thoughts and concerns at 62 community events and meetings.

South Yorkshire Police cadets and leaders, police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) also carried out test purchase operations at 51 different retail premises, to test compliance around the sale of bladed articles to under-18s.

Of the 51 retailers, six failed in their legal obligations and one will face prosecution, while others will have police intervention to ensure they comply with the law and keep young people safe.

South Yorkshire Police’s knife crime lead, Det Supt Dave Cowley, said: “We are committed to reducing the threat of knife crime within our communities and reducing the number of victims of knife crime.

“Operation Sceptre is an important week of action that helps us raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife."

He added: “It’s important to note that our work continues beyond this national week of action and our officers are working every day to reduce the number of knives being carried and the number of people being hurt by them.”

South Yorkshire Police was unable to provide breakdowns of the figures for each district of South Yorkshire.