Crackdown takes 123 knives off the streets
A TOTAL of 123 knives have been seized and 74 people arrested for knife-related offences, during a week of police action to prevent knife crime.
During the Operation Sceptre national week of action, Greater Manchester Police say it ‘focused on enforcement and ensuring people were aware of the consequences of knife crime.’
Officers deployed knife arches and conducted warrants, high-visibility patrols, and 223 weapon sweeps, the force says.
The shocking statistics of their findings come after a week of violence across Greater Manchester which saw 17-year-old Kyle Hackland stabbed to death in Withington last Tuesday, a man stabbed in a ‘disturbance’ in Whitefield the same day and a 15-yearold boy seriously hurt after being stabbed in a robbery in Trafford on Sunday.
GMP said it worked with partners, colleges and schools to deliver 51 antiknife sessions and ‘engaged with thousands of pupils across Greater Manchester’ from November 14-20, to help raise awareness of knife crime and the devastating impact carrying a blade can have.
The sessions covered the dangers and consequences of carrying knives and the laws around it, as well as advice on how to avoid becoming involved in knife crime.
Superintendent Caroline Hemingway, GMP’s knife crime lead, said: “Recent events have only strengthened our resolve that knife crime will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester - it has no place on our streets, where our communities are supposed to feel safe.
“Our work does not stop at the end of Operation Sceptre - our commitment is clear - to reduce knife crime and prevent people from thinking they need to carry a knife.
“Carrying a knife can and will lead to serious consequences.”
Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, said: “The success of Operation Sceptre reflects Greater Manchester’s concerted effort and determination to remove weapons from our streets and keep our communities, particularly our young people, safe from violent crime.”