A fresh campaign to reduce knife-related violence begins today across Wiltshire, with police focusing on how knives are sold in local shops and how young people are accessing them.
Operation Sceptre - a national initiative run twice a year - will see officers carry out extra test-purchase checks, where police cadets under the age of 18 attempt to buy a knife in participating stores. Any retailer who sells a knife to a minor, or fails to challenge a customer who appears under 25, will be deemed to have failed the test.
Chief Insp Steve Jolly, who is leading the operation in Wiltshire this month, said the force uses “a multifaceted approach” to tackling knife crime, from seizing weapons to working directly with young people who may feel pressure to carry one.
“Wiltshire is a safe county,” he said, “but we all have a responsibility to ensure we are tackling knife crime, and this week of action will highlight the work we can all do.”
In addition to the retail checks, officers will carry out weapon sweeps using metal detectors and will deploy a knife arch at locations around the county, alongside awareness sessions for young people.
Latest figures show crimes involving knives and blades in Wiltshire and Swindon have fallen by almost 9% in the past year - from 808 incidents to 738.
Chief Insp Jolly said the reduction is welcome, but warned that the impact of knife crime on families and communities remains “devastating”.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said targeted prevention work is key, pointing to programmes funded through his office, including the Blunt Truth education scheme.
“Although we are making progress,” he said, “it’s important that we continue to build on the strong foundations we are laying and support our communities to make Wiltshire safer.”
More information about how to spot the signs of knife-related risks and where to get help, is available on the Wiltshire Police website.
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