POLICE officers in Evesham have been hard at work during West Mercia’s week of action against knife crime with educational visits to schools and manned searches for discarded weapons.
Officers from Evesham Safer Neighbourhood Team have been out and about this week chipping in with Operation Sceptre, a week of action to tackle knife crime.
The activities focus on prevention, education and engagement to target those either involved in knife crime or those on the periphery of being so.
Schools have been visited, giving students an opportunity to ask us questions relating to knife crime, and advice was provided to the students around what to do if they suspect someone to be carrying a knife.
The consequences of carrying a knife was also explained to them. The students also had the opportunity to walk through the knife arch (a device used to detect metal objects). No knives detected but plenty of talk about the risk of carrying knives.
Officers have also visited various parks to search bushes and undergrowth for stored knives and weapons. A hand saw was located in a tree which was seized by officers.
Operation Sceptre is a force wide targeted effort which West Mercia participate in annually. As a whole, the force have been utilising knife arches, visiting retailers who sell knives and attending community engagement events and schools to highlight the devastating effects of carrying a knife and encourage diversionary pathways away from knife crime.
Superintendent Brian Gibbs, West Merica’s force lead for knife crime, said: “Knife crime has a devastating impact on families and communities.
“Weeks of action like Sceptre are an opportunity to show the work West Mercia Police is engaged in all year round to tackle the issues and protect communities.
“We take a robust approach to anyone found illegally in possession of a knife or bladed article on the streets and want to take early intervention to stop this from happening.
“I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to rid yourselves of any unwanted or illegal weapons by taking them to our knife surrender bins and stop the knife from getting into the wrong hands.
“Carrying knives or other weapons do not keep you safe. It puts you in much greater danger, and you are more likely to become involved in a violent situation and be injured yourself.”
As part of the efforts, knife surrender bins are located at police station front counters situated in Shrewsbury, Telford, Kidderminster, Hereford and Worcester. Op Sceptre concludes on Sunday (May 19).
People are also urged to report information regarding knife crime.
Visit www.Fearless.org or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 to report.
