Our officers have been out in force taking part in enforcement and education, as part of our campaign #DitchTheBlade and a national drive on knife-related crime.

Local policing teams (LPTs) spent time last week building on the work they do all year round to keep our communities safe, carrying out high-priority arrests, knife crime operations and engaging with the public and retailers.

The activity linked in with Sceptre, a national week-long initiative.

Throughout the operation in our county:

• Intelligence-led stop and searches and proactive arrests were carried out with 11 people arrested
• Stop checks were conducted on more than 200 people using metal detecting knife arches located at hotspot areas identified by neighbourhood officers
• Officers took part in joint operations with the British Transport Police (BTP) at railway stations, including Stafford, Cannock and Lichfield, to disrupt the transport of knives into our county
• 111 community engagement activities took place to increase awareness of the risks of carrying knives along with what support is available for families and carers
• Around 650 knives were destroyed having been handed in to one of the knife amnesty bins across the county.

Activity included:

In Tamworth, officers attended the castle grounds, town centre and Ventura retail park, speaking to members of the public about knife-related crime and providing reassurance.

Officers delivered a knife crime and county lines presentation to staff and residents of an assisted home for vulnerable young people in the county. They also engaged in a question-and-answer session, whilst offering support and advice.

Police community support officers (PCSOs) joined members of the violence reduction team (VRT) at Westbridge Park in Stone to conduct a knife sweep. No knives were recovered, however, those involved engaged with around 25 members of the community.

High-visibility foot patrols were carried out in key locations in Burton town centre, including the Washlands area, Station Street, Burton College, Burton Library and Coopers Square and the Octagon Centre.

Responsible knife retailer scheme visits by officers and the VRT saw three retailers sign up to the initiative, whilst knife-crime education events were held at shops across Stoke-on-Trent.

Chief Inspector Dave Barrow, force lead for knife crime, said:

“Intensification weeks like Sceptre help us build upon our progress to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife, and to reduce the number of knives on the streets by working with our partners in the Violence Reduction Alliance, education, charities, local authorities and retail.

“We will continue to work on removing weapons from the streets of Staffordshire and disrupt violence through focused attention on each of our LPT areas. Knife amnesty bins remain open across the County and I would encourage anyone wishing to dispose of knives to do this safely at your nearest amnesty bin.”

The week also coincided with the launch of the Violence Reduction Alliance’s ‘Where Will It End’ campaign, co-produced with young people from Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, including those who have been affected by violence.

The campaign has a range of resources aimed at both young people (aged 11-15) and younger children (aged 5-10), including information/resources for parents and carers.

Staffordshire Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the Violence Reduction Alliance, Ben Adams said:

“Knife harm has long-lasting effects on individuals and communities, which is why it’s important that we continue to deliver these initiatives.

“The Where Will It End campaign has been developed to support young people in understanding and managing their emotions, and prevent them from becoming involved in violence. Since launching, the campaign has reached over 240,000 young people via social media and has had over 7,000 webpage visits.

“It’s important that we continue to talk to young people about these difficult topics and provide them with tools to help them make positive choices. Thank you to the officers and partners who have supported the activity during this time and continue to raise awareness of the effects of knife harm.”

Visit www.wherewillitend.co.uk for further information.

For more on #DitchTheBlade, visit: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/ditchtheblade