MORE than 200 knives have been taken off the streets of Hampshire in just a week.

The county constabulary ran Operation Sceptre between November 15 and 21, which resulted in 29 arrests.

Five knives were recovered in Southampton as a result of direct police activity.

Overall, the force recovered 206 knives – including machetes, swords and hunting blades.

In Lymington, 14 knives, a sword and two BB guns were also surrendered.

 

Other weapons surrendered in Lymington. Photo by Lymington and New Milton Cops

Other weapons surrendered in Lymington. Photo by Lymington and New Milton Cops

 

Officers used every tactic available including weapons sweeps, knife arches in public places, and surrender bins.

Hampshire Constabulary could not say how many knives were recovered specifically in Southampton.

Chief Inspector John Halfacre, lead for knife crime at Hampshire Constabulary, said:

“Working closely as a force and with our partners we have recorded some great proactive results. Thanks to the intensification activity, 206 fewer knives are on the streets of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which is a great result towards our continued efforts to reduce serious violence and specifically knife crime in our communities.

 

Two knives were seized from a teen in Romsey Road, Southampton

 

“The operation reflects our commitment to working alongside local agencies and the community to prevent knife crime.

"Whilst policing plays an essential role in enforcement activity we want to continue to work together alongside our Violence Reduction Network to embed a community-led approach to prevention and enforcement, by working together and taking a unified approach we will ultimately be more effective in reducing knife crime and divert young people away from becoming involved with knife crime."

During the week, the authority was successful in:

• Recovering 176 knives that had been surrendered in knife bins across the Force

• Carrying out 97 stop searches; 11 of which recovered a knife

• 57 weapon sweeps of parks and open spaces – no weapons found

• Engaging directly with 126 schools to support education and prevention

• 50 retailers corresponded with 14 on site test purchases – two failed by selling knives to Under 18s.

 

The knives surrendered in Lymington. Photo by Lymington and New Milton Cops

The knives surrendered in Lymington. Photo by Lymington and New Milton Cops

 

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said: “I am very concerned about knife crime, particularly knife crime involving young people who are most at risk of being stabbed. The Constabulary’s week of targeted action has meant the removal of more than 200 knives from our streets and 29 arrests. Each arrest and every confiscation helps to reduce knife crime. This latest week of actions follows on from a highly successful week focused on disrupting drug supply and county lines networks.

“The issues of knife crime and county lines overlap significantly; violence and weapons use are central to county lines and a range of risk factors make young people vulnerable to both exploitation within county lines and involvement in knife crime. To have a real impact we need to ensure that enforcement is teamed with education and that we work with partners to identify those young people vulnerable to exploitation early.”

There is help and support available from www.knifefree.co.uk , a campaign that aims to highlight the consequences of carrying a knife and to inspire young people to pursue positive alternatives.

Anonymous reporting is available through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.