OFFICERS across Essex made dozens of arrests and removed thousands of knives from circulation during a week‑long focus on tackling knife crime.
The activity formed part of Sceptre week, a national campaign shining a spotlight on policing’s work to prevent knife crime and serious violence.
Across the county, officers carried out targeted weapon sweeps in public spaces, visited businesses to promote the lawful and responsible sale of knives, and engaged with pupils during visits to local schools.
Targeting offenders carrying weapons, officers made 20 arrests and carried out 16 stop and searches.
A test‑purchasing operation was also carried out in Harlow, supported by police cadets.
Six businesses were visited, with four passing the tests and two failing.
Further action will be taken where necessary, including referrals to Trading Standards.
Alongside enforcement activity, officers worked with partners to safeguard young people.
Four young people were referred to partner agencies, including the Violence and Vulnerability Unit’s ReRoute team, to help steer them away from future offending.
Any knife in the wrong hands is dangerous, which is why the public are encouraged to dispose of them safely using police knife bins.
Items surrendered are taken to a secure location and shredded, ensuring they can never be used again.
Essex Police manages 15 knife bins across the county, providing an anonymous way for people to surrender bladed items.
The bins were emptied during the week, with almost 1.3 tonnes of knives and other weapons recovered.
This equates to around 6,000 knives, based on an average weight reflecting the wide range of items surrendered, from kitchen knives to larger weapons.
Knife crime continues to fall across Essex.
In the year to date, 2,975 knife‑enabled offences were recorded, including 995 offences of possession of a weapon.
This represents 476 fewer offences than the same 12‑month period last year – a 13% reduction year-on-year.
Detective Sergeant Karen Osborne said:
“We know that any knife in the wrong hands can have devastating consequences, which is why prevention is at the heart of everything we do.
“Alongside targeting those who carry weapons, we’re working with partners, engaging young people and encouraging the public to safely surrender knives.
“Each weapon taken out of circulation is a positive step in keeping our communities safe.”
Roger Hirst, Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner said:
“We have to get knife crime down and stop our young people being hurt. Sceptre is Essex Police’s way of doing that, together with their partners.
“It means enforcement, it means prevention, it means engaging with young people, working with businesses, providing safe ways for knives to be surrendered.
“The significant number of weapons recovered demonstrates it works. While Essex continues to see a sustained reduction in knife-enabled crime, we will not be complacent. We will keep focusing on prevention, enforcement and education to protect our communities.”
Anyone wishing to surrender a knife can do so anonymously at one of the knife bins located across Essex.
