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Knife Crime

Date published: 18 November 2021 13:54

Operation Sceptre returns to South Yorkshire for a week of targeted activity to tackle knife crime.

Operation Sceptre is a nationwide week of intensive action which focuses on raising awareness of knife crime and police activity to tackle the issue.

Across South Yorkshire this week we will be taking part in targeted activity and operations to disrupt criminal activity and knife crime. We will also be raising awareness of knife crime and the devastating effects it can have on families and the wider community. Please follow our channels on social media for updates throughout the week.

Although this week there is heightened activity for Operation Sceptre, this works continues throughout the year every day. We have dedicated teams that look to disrupt this activity that work 24/7 to educate and stop knife crime in our communities.

As part of Op Sceptre you can hand in any weapons to us during this week,  into one of our amnesty bins across South Yorkshire. 

The locations of the bins are: 

Doncaster

  1. Warmsworth Road / Anelay Road junction, Balby.
  2. Junction of Broxholme Lane / Highfield Road / Netherhall Road, Town Centre.
  3. Top of Wood Street, Mexborough
  4. Side of Schofield Park, Mexborough near to Maple road side

Sheffield

  1. Mossway Police Station
  2. Ecclesfield Police Station
  3. Snig Hill Police Station
  4. Wolseley Road, Sharrow

Rotherham

  1. Rotherham Town Hall – Moorgate St
  2. Rotherham College Town Centre Campus

Barnsley 

  1. Barnsley Police Station, Churchfields
  2. Wombwell police station - Park Street, Wombwell

Offensive Weapons Act 2019

The Offensive Weapons Act has changed. Whilst it has always been an offence to carry a bladed article in a public place, it is now an offence to possess certain items such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in private.

What we mean by private is a place other than:

  • a public place
  • school premises
  • further education premises, or
  • a prison

You can watch the video below from the National Police Chiefs Council for more information on what this means for you. 

We have also created this guide, which details all the weapons that fall under this act. 

What are we doing to tackle knife crime?

We are all too aware of the consequences and impact knife crime can have on individuals, their families and the wider communities.

Knife crime and violent crime continuities to be a priority for us and we are making progress to tackle this issue.

Dedicated teams

We have dedicated teams that carry out targeted enforcement every day throughout the year. These teams work to disrupt criminal activity and remove weapons from the streets. Their work Includes stop searches, vehicle checks, warrants and high visibility patrols.

Neighbourhood Teams

Our local neighbourhood teams work with the community to locate and seize weapons, make arrests for possession of knives and other banned weapons and disrupt the drug supply networks. This is particularly important, as we know there are clear links between violent crime and drug supply.

Education

A vital part of our work is through education. Educating younger people about the dangers of carrying knives and encouraging parents to speak to their children about the consequences of this. We work closely with schools and community groups who are able to share these messages and prevent these issues from happening in the first place.

Recent and tragic cases have shown how vital it is for us to work with young people about the consequences of carrying a knife and how one decision can change the rest of their lives.

Support and advice

There is lots of help and advice out there and organisations that can help.

You can find information about knife crime and help and advice on the website knivestakelives.co.uk