Knives recovered and arrests made during Operation Sceptre

Arrests have been made and knives have been recovered following a week of activity to tackle knife crime across the Leicestershire Police force area.

Leicestershire Police have taken part in national operation – Operation Sceptre – which saw teams carry out a number of activities targeting people who carry and use knives and the supply and importation of these weapons.

It ran from Monday 12 February to Sunday 18 February and was the third year Leicestershire Police has taken part.

A number of weapons – including eight knives were seized, and a total of 23 arrests were made for a variety of offences including possession of a bladed article; some of which were habitual knife carriers known to police.

Superintendent Shane O’Neill for Leicestershire Police said: “We have used a range of tactics to make life difficult for those people who would carry a knife and are prepared to use it. We have also targeted areas where knives are being hidden.

“Operation Sceptre is not only essential for highlighting the great dangers of carrying a knife, but it also reassures our community that we are working with them to educate young people and proactively develop opportunities to tackle knife crime.”

As part of the week, officers from across the force carried out a number of patrols in key areas across Leicester and Loughborough as part of the ongoing work to address the issue of knife crime. These patrols included knife sweeps in three Loughborough parks, as well as areas across Leicester City Centre. Other operational activity included intelligence-led knife related arrests in the aim to target habitual knife carriers, as well as knife arches at Loughborough University’s Student Union.

To coincide with the weeklong operation, a number of knife surrender bins were located in three police stations across Leicestershire, following a number of requests from members of the public.

Officers were also joined by Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Councillor Kirk Master, who showed their support for the operation.

Lord Willy Bach, Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This has been a really successful week and I was pleased to have the opportunity to take part in a knife sweep searching for discarded knives and other dangerous items.

“Over the last week, potentially lethal knives have been handed in to the police via one of the special knife bins. Knives, crowbars, needles and other objects have been removed from public spaces and a significant number of arrests have been made.

“It sends a clear message that Leicestershire Police are clamping down on knife crime. It is never acceptable. It’s worth reminding those who carry a knife that it’s a lethal habit that also carries a four-year custodial sentence.”

The surrender bins will still remain at the following locations for anyone who wishes to dispose of a knife safely and anonymously:

• Wigston Police Station – Bull Head Street, LE18 1WX
• Spinney Hill Police Station – Spinney Hill Park, East Park Road, LE5 5GY
• Mansfield House Police Station – 74 Belgrave Gate, LE1 3GG
• Falcon Support Services – Falcon Centre, Pinfold Gate, Loughborough

For important information and advice on knife crime, please visit: https://leics.police.uk/categories/_knife-crime