Thirteen people arrested and retail visits carried out as part of Op Sceptre week

Suffolk police arrested 13 people last week on suspicion of knife-related offences during the week of action aimed at tackling knife crime.

Operation Sceptre, which ran 13-19 November, is a national campaign that runs twice a year to detect, prevent and reduce knife crime in our local communities.

Throughout the week officers attended community engagement events and carried out school visits, with the aim of educating people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

More than 70 retailers were visited, including retail chains such as Wickes, Asda, B&M, QD stores, Waitrose and Tesco, as well as independent shops across the county to ensure that knives and tools were being stored correctly, and security tagged. Staff were also reminded of the ‘Check 25’ ID approach with check-tests also carried out periodically to ensure no knives were sold to anyone under the age of 18.

Acting Inspector Callum Appleby said: “Early intervention to steer young people away from crime is absolutely crucial, which is why this dedicated week of action is so important – to spotlight on education and prevention.

“We had a great response from the workshops delivered in schools, and I’m pleased to say that all stores we visited were operating best practices for the sale of knives and potentially harmful items, with no concerns raised.

“It is so important that correct procedures are practiced by retailers to prevent young people from easily obtaining knives and potentially putting lives – including their own – at risk.”

Of the thirteen people arrested in Suffolk, two men were charged in respect of knife offences. A further eight people remain under investigation or on police bail:

• Shaun Collins, age 43 and of Goudhurst Road in Gillingham in Kent, was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a Stanley knife, after being arrested at Sailmakers in Ipswich on Tuesday 14 November. He appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court the following day where he pleaded guilty to the charge and was jailed for 21 weeks.
  
  
• Jonathan Blake, aged 55 of Haward Street in Lowestoft, was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place, four counts of possessing an air weapon when prohibited and in relation to drug offences. He was arrested on 15 November after police executed a warrant at a property on Haward Street. Blake appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 17 November, where he was bailed to return to Ipswich Crown Court on 15 December.

More than 1,200 knives and bladed items were also recovered from the knife surrender amnesty bins across the county, where people can dispose knives and blades safely. The majority of knives surrendered were kitchen-style knives.

Acting Inspector Appleby added: “Removing knives from our streets and away from where (and from whom) they can do serious harm within the community is an ongoing priority, which is why we have nine permanent amnesty bins located across Suffolk.

“It is everyone’s social responsibility to do what we can to reduce the impact knife crime has on our communities. If you have concerns that someone may be carrying a knife, please report it to police or call Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555111.”

The amnesty bin locations are: three in Ipswich (Alderman Park - on the junction of Sir Alf Ramsay Way and Constantine Road, Queen’s Way and Bramford Road), at police stations in Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Haverhill, and at the emergency services hub in Mildenhall and in Stowmarket at the junction of Stricklands Road and Ipswich Street.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I am really pleased to see these excellent results following this national intensification week to tackle knife crime.

“Operation Sceptre gives officers the opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime across the county, and also to tackle the crime with targeted enforcement - I fully support this two-pronged approach.  

“It is so important we work with schools, businesses and parents to highlight the dangers of carrying a knife. We will only make a difference if we work together.

“Talking about the consequences of carrying a knife – both at home and at school – is so important.  As a parent I know how difficult these conversations can be, but I would urge parents and carers to discuss the dangers of knife crime at home.  We really do need to join forces to eliminate this dreadful scourge on society.”

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/news/suffolk/news/news/2023/november/operation-sceptre--week-of-action-to-tackle-and-reduce-knife-crime/