Officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be taking part in a national week of action to tackle knife crime.

Operation Sceptre, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which started on Monday, November 11, will see officers taking dedicated action to make communities safer from knife-related crimes.

As well as seizing knives and arresting those in possession of them, officers will also be working in other ways to help raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives.

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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will be working closely with its Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and partners, such as local authorities, public health, charities and youth workers to make communities safer and prevent young people from being drawn into knife crime.

Some of the increased police activity during Op Sceptre will include additional high visibility patrols, particularly in identified hotspot areas, engaging with current and potential carriers, working with schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young people on the dangers of knife crime, conducting weapons sweeps for hidden or discarded knives, staffing knife arches at various locations in order to detect and deter people from carrying knives, and working with partners to promote the ‘Challenge 25 ID’ approach.

Acting Inspector Christian Lavin, tactical lead for knife crime for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: "In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, a huge effort is being made to work closely with local and national partners to educate, prevent and reduce knife crime in our communities.

"Through a multifaceted approach, Op Sceptre will include operations across our two counties such as educational talks, community engagement activities and enforcement tactics, warrants, knife surrender bins, weapon sweeps, knife arches and hotspot patrols."

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The week of action is also an opportunity for members of the public to use the permanent knife surrender bins available at various stations across the districts. A full list of locations can be found on the constabulary's website.

"We understand it can be worrying to hear about knife crime," Acting Inspector Lavin.

"Though knife crime figures in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are comparatively low, knife-related offences continue to fall within our communities.

"Carrying a weapon yourself does not make you safer, but puts you more at risk.

"Very few people carry knives, but if someone you know is carrying one, you can report it to a trusted family member or teacher, to Crimestoppers anonymously or their youth brand Fearless, or to the police."