18,000 school pupils attended knife-crime awareness workshops in Leicestershire in one week

The seven-day operation, which began on Monday 13 November, aimed to reduce knife crime by targeting those carrying weapons and to disrupt the supply of knives available to use.

During the week Leicestershire Police carried out:

• 52 weapon sweeps carried out
• 53 knives recovered
• 13 arrests made
• 31 educational events facilitated
• 45 school workshops delivered
• 20 visits to retailers
• 22 test purchases carried out
• Social media posts that reached 167,144 people

Surrender bins were available for people to safely and anonymously dispose of knives. They were available in Charnwood, Beaumont Leys, Braunstone, Hinckley, Keyham Lane, Mansfield House, Melton and Spinney Hill stations front enquiry offices for the duration of the week.

Knife crime awareness classes also took place providing an opportunity for teachers and pupils to discuss what leads a person to carry a knife. Over 18,000 young people attended the workshops where prevention advice and support were offered.

Detective Inspector Mark Brennan, from the Violent and Complex Crime Unit who lead the operation said: “Op Sceptre is a concentrated week of activity to tackle knife crime. But in reality, work to reduce violent crime happens daily.

“Our officers work tirelessly to keep the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safe every single day.  

“Education and engagement are key to reaching people and to share the Lives not Knives message.

“To get knives off the street is great news, these knives will now never reach the hands of someone determined to use them for harm. The engagement with shops and online retailers who sell knives worked well, although unfortunately five shops failed. The force and Trading Standards will work together to seek prosecutions.”