Police to step up efforts to tackle knife crime as part of week-long national campaign
Cheshire Police are taking part in a national campaign aimed at keeping knives off the streets.
From Monday (May 19), forces across the country will be intensifying their efforts to tackle the impact of knife crime as part of Sceptre.
Here in Cheshire, officers will be working to reduce the number of knives being carried across the country through enforcement and engagement activities.
There will be a number of opportunities to safely dispose of any knives, bladed weapons and knuckle dusters into designated surrender points across the seven Local Policing Unit areas.
Superintendent Cath Jones, who is Cheshire Constabulary's knife crime lead, said: "Crime involving knives remains a growing issue on the national stage, so the Constabulary's participation in Sceptre is an excellent opportunity for us to highlight the outstanding work our officers put in daily to keep Cheshire weapon-free.
"We are particularly proud that, when compared to our fellow home forces, knife crime in Cheshire remains low; but we have seen a considerable number of people across the county choosing to carry knives and bladed weapons - this is something we will not tolerate as a force."
Knife crime in Cheshire remains comparatively low when compared to other forces in England and Wales.
Recent figures show that possession of weapons offences across the county have fallen by 6.6 per cent, with 727 incidents recorded in the 12 months to April 2025, compared to 778 recorded in the previous year.
The focal point for the May 2025 week of action will also be ensuring the county's retailers are aware of the rules and regulations surrounding the sale of bladed articles.
Other activities during the operation will include community knife sweeps, engagement in the community, as well as an increased visible policing presence to provide reassurance.
Superintendent Jones added: "In this, the first of two Sceptre operations for 2025, our officers will be engaging with the county's retailers who have a crucial role to play in ensuring these potentially dangerous and lethal weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.
"As well as this, we are further intensifying our efforts to challenge the perception that you need to carry a knife in order to feel safe. When someone chooses to carry a knife, it is only a matter of time before they, or someone else, sustains a life-changing or fatal injury. If you choose to carry a knife, you are much more likely to be involved in knife crime.
"When it comes to issues as serious as knife crime, it is so important that everyone feels that they can come forward to us with any issues, so we can take swift and immediate action, so, over the course of this week, we will also be working with our partner organisations, including local authorities, charities, third-sector organisations, youth representatives and community groups as we continue to keep Cheshire a hostile environment for anyone who chooses to pick up a blade."
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