Police launch major new crackdown on knife crime
Intensive police work is being launched this week in a bid to tackle knife crime.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have relaunched Operation Sceptre to clamp down on violence and weapon possession. The initiative started on Monday andwillcarryonuntilSunday.
Inspector Sarah Nicholson, knife crime tactical lead, said officers will be ‘working relentlessly’ throughout the week, as knife crime ‘continues to be an issue that is destructive to communities and families’.
She added: ‘Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will be working alongside the Violence Reduction Units, including health and charities funded by the Office of thePoliceandCrimeCommission to aid prevention and engagement on knife crime and thoseatriskofcarryingknives or been victims or affected by knife crime.
‘Many young people carry a knife out of fear they might be harmed or because they’re being pressured too, but what they don’t realise is that they are then at a greater risk of being injured or killed themselves, even if they’re the ones carrying the knife. Our main overlyingobjectivesaretoprotect the public and communities and prevent knife crime.
‘This will be achieved through a number of targeted approaches, which include surrenderbins;avisiblepolicingpresenceusinghotspotpatrolsaspartofayousaid,wedo approach, and engaging with young people in schools and facilitating knife arches.’
Last November, 213 knives were recovered by the force and 48 arrests were made.
InspectorNicholsonadded that the force have partnered with the charity Fear-less, which allows young people to pass on information about crimes anonymously.
Police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said a dedicated £3m fund will be allocated towards the relaunch of a Violence Reduction Unit and Violent Crime task Force.
She added: ‘Knife crime and associated serious harm has a devastating impact on familiesandcommunitiesand asCommissionerI’mcommittedtotacklingknifecrimewith a zero tolerance approach. Operation Sceptre’s week of action brings to the forefront the need to focus on early intervention.’
Changes to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 mean it is now illegal to possess knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombieknives,eveninprivate.