Focus on knife crime as part of national campaign

This week Northamptonshire Police is joining up with other UK police forces to take part in Operation Sceptre, an initiative to tackle knife crime.

Throughout the week officers will be engaging with local communities, including young people, carrying out test purchases with retailers and taking part in targeted enforcement activity on those believed to be involved in this type of crime.

Tackling serious violence, including knife crime, is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police and although the county has seen a 16 per cent reduction in knife crime in the last two years, the Force is committed to seeing further reductions.

Detective Superintendent Andy Glenn is leading this week’s activity. He said: “We see first-hand the devastating consequences of knife crime and are determined to do all we can to help drive down the number of incidents that take place in the county.

“This week departments from across the Force will join together to help educate, engage and enforce, working with schools, councils and charities to help deliver our message that there is simply no reason to carry a knife.  It is illegal and will actually put you at greater risk of harm.”

Throughout the week members of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be delivering talks at primary and secondary schools about the dangers of knife crime, while also conducting hot spot patrols and holding knife amnesties.

Det Supt Glenn added: “Not only will our Neighbourhood Policing Teams be out and about this week, our new Youth Violence Intervention Unit (YVIU), will also be conducting visits with young people who have been highlighted as being at risk of becoming involved in violence offences.

“We will also be working closely with our partners from the Northamptonshire Violence Prevention Partnership, including our local councils and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner as well as groups such as Off the Streets NN, to deliver activities with children at risk of becoming embroiled in violence offences.

“There is a lot as public bodies that we can do to tackle knife crime, however, we also need the public’s help. We all have a duty to speak to the young people in our lives about the very real dangers of knife crime, the impact it can have and the consequences for those involved in incidents.

“I also urge anyone who has any information about knife crime, or concerns about someone who may be carrying a weapon to contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously. We can offer support and advice to you. More information is available at northants.police.uk/knifecrime.”