Dorset Police has taken part in Operation Sceptre, a national initiative to tackle knife crime.
Operation Sceptre ran from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 November 2023 and involved all 43 forces taking part in intensified efforts to crack down on knife-enabled crime and violence.
The themes for this phase of Sceptre were around online knife retailers and responsible selling, raising awareness to parents and care givers to ensure they are aware of what packages are being sent to young people at home and educating young people about the stark dangers of carrying weapons.
Presentations were delivered to schools across the county focusing on preventative education around themes such as the consequences and dangers of carrying weapons; common misconceptions around knife crime; and locations of knife surrender bins in Dorset where knives could be deposited anonymously.
Handheld metal detectors were distributed to teams across Dorset. These will now be in each operational vehicle across Dorset as a supportive tool to assist stop and search powers.
The Force is pleased to report the following results:
3,535 students in 19 schools received a knife crime presentation
- 28 knives removed from circulation, (including knives surrendered in knife bins and those seized)
- 14 arrests made for knife-related crime
- 8 weapons sweeps conducted
- 4 stop and searches
- 17 addresses visited
- 1 retailer visited
- 1 media event around the new knife wands
Temporary Chief Superintendent, Heather Dixey, of Dorset Police said, “Dorset is one of the safest places in the country to live, but the Force remains proactive in preventing and detecting knife crime.
“An important part of our work, in addition to the enforcement work we do, is prevention. Some young people carry a knife because they think it will make them safer, but carrying a knife can actually make them more vulnerable. We have been very proactive in providing education and engagement opportunities to local schools and discussing these common misconceptions around knife crime in Dorset.
“We will continue our work to remove knives from the streets and encourage people to report any concerns they have about anyone carrrying a knife in their community.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick added, “Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “In the intensive week of action to tackle knife crime as part of Operation Sceptre I was proud to see the breadth of work which was taking place across Dorset. From enforcement to education, Dorset Police demonstrated their commitment to driving down instances of knife crime and reducing violent offences through high visibility patrols, knife surrender bins and powerful education.
“I was pleased to see the new knife wands I have funded in use and was impressed by the quality of the Firearms and Knife Education (FAKE) presentation which took place in schools across the county, and moreover to see knives removed from circulation and arrests made in order to prevent crime, is an incredibly positive update to give to our residents and communities.”
“However, the responsibility of dealing with knife crime in Dorset goes beyond the work of the police. It is down to all of us – from local authorities and external partners to charities and individuals – to robustly tackle the offences which can have devastating consequences on families and communities. We owe it to the young people of Dorset to continue our fight to keep our streets safe and free from knives.”
Parents can seek advice about their child’s welfare at: Parent Talk – Support for Parents from Action For Children
Retailers can visit this website for guidance on selling knives: www.nbcc.police.uk/knifeguidance
