Week of action launched to tackle and reduce knife crime

Selling a knife to under-18s is a crime.
Carrying a knife – even if you haven’t used it – is a crime.

This message comes as Suffolk police begins a week of activity to tackle knife crime, prevent the illegal sale of knives, and target offenders who use and carry them.

The week of action, known as Operation Sceptre, highlights the work that is done year-round to reduce these offences and is a national initiative that takes place twice a year, co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).

The activity is taking place from today, Monday, November 13, to Sunday, November 19, and will see officers conducting a series of high visibility activity alongside partner agencies to keep knives off the streets, raise wider awareness of knife crime and educate people about the dangers of carrying a bladed weapon.

Acting Inspector Callum Appleby said: “Retailers, whether a chain or independent store, all have a responsibility to the safe sale of knives. It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18 and retailers should ensure they carry out age verification checks.

“Officers will be visiting our local retail community this week to discuss the ‘Challenge 25 ID’ approach, remind them of the training resources available to them and discuss the security of a knife within their shop aisles to reduce theft opportunities.

“We also warn online shoppers to be aware of the law around the sale of knives. Under current legislation the importation of dangerous items – such as zombie knives, flick knives, knuckledusters and death star knives – is banned. If you are buying items that are illegal to import, or are found in possession of them, you could face prosecution.”

Police will also be visiting schools this week, educating young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives and the impact this can have in communities.

Acting Inspector Appleby continues: “We are asking parents, guardians and extended family members to talk openly to young people about knife crime and highlight the risks and dangers of carrying a knife. There is information available on our website: http://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/personal-safety/knife-crime/having-conversation

“We take a robust approach to anyone found to be illegally in possession of a knife on our streets and would encourage people to take unwanted bladed articles or illegal weapons to our knife amnesty bins.”

There are nine knife amnesty bins located in Suffolk; three in Ipswich (Alderman Park – on the junction of Sir Alf Ramsay Way and Constantine Road, Queen’s Way and Bramford Road), at police stations in Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Haverhill and at the emergency services hub in Mildenhall and in Stowmarket at the junction of Stricklands Road and Ipswich Street.

Suffolk Constabulary is committed to keeping knives off the streets. If you know someone is carrying a knife, purchasing one or that someone is being exploited to do so, please call 101, report it online or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I’d like to commend the constabulary for their crime prevention work as part of Operation Sceptre.

“This national focus gives the constabulary a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime.  Talking about the implications of carrying a knife is crucially important to educate and protect our young people.

“Knife crime is an increasing problem nationally and it’s got to stop. Carrying a knife doesn’t make you safe and sadly, as we all know, it can lead to dreadful consequences.

“Knife bins play an important role in getting knives out of circulation, they provide a safe and anonymous method of disposal and I’m pleased to see them being used to good effect right across the county.”