MORE THAN 40 people were arrested and 18 knives recovered in the West Midlands as part of a national week of action.
Officers from West Midlands Police conducted numerous weapon sweeps, and around 49 stop searches specifically related to Sceptre – an initiative aimed at reducing knife crime and serious youth violence.
Throughout the week, police officers engaged with local communities and youth groups, to educate young people and parents about the consequences of carrying knives.
This included visits to schools where officers discussed the impact of knife crime and provided information on how to stay safe.
The operation also focused on supporting victims of knife crime and promoting prevention programmes.
This involved working closely with local partners and charities to offer support services and resources aimed at reducing the likelihood of individuals becoming involved in knife-related incidents.
Officers also completed over 250 extra patrols in areas known for anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and knife crime.
These patrols included a mixture of uniformed officers, plain clothes officers, dog units, firearms officers and traffic officers.
Thanks to information provided by residents the force also carried out searched on 12 premises known for selling weapons and exploiting vulnerable people.
Along with local authority partners, officers were able to do undercover operations with retailers to stop the supply and sales of knives to those under the age of 18.
Sceptre is part of a broader, year-round commitment by West Midlands Police to tackle knife crime and its dangers.
The force continues to work closely with communities, schools, and partner organizations to maintain the momentum gained during the operation and ensure lasting reductions in knife-related incidents.
Inspector Kate Jeffries, from Guardian Taskforce, said: “Reducing knife crime, and serious youth violence, is a priority for the force. We welcome intensification weeks like Sceptre to bring awareness, education, and greater partnership working across the West Midlands.
“We have acted against those exploiting vulnerable young people and causing serious harm to others. Working with partners is key to our work to tackle knife crime, policing cannot do this alone.
“We will continue to remove weapons from the streets and disrupt violence through focused attention on each of our policing areas, Project Guardian task force teams, specialist drones and dog unit, and through school inputs and education.
“We urge anyone who has information about knife crime, the sale of knives, or suspected exploitation of young people to report this to the police immediately.”
Anyone who knows someone who is carrying a knife should report it to the police, speak to a trusted family member or teacher, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
