168 knives recovered by Police in Hertfordshire

In Hertfordshire’s knife crime action week herts Constabulary carried out a range of operations to reduce the number of knives in the county. 

As part of Operation Sceptre, a national knife crime campaign ran between Monday 9 November and  Sunday 15 November.

During the week 168 knives were recovered via knife sweeps and stop and searches.  

The campaign also included engagement events with young people at 14 schools and visits to retailers to ensure they are obeying the laws regarding knife sales to those under 18.

Police operations included covert knife detection and high visibility patrols in areas associated with anti-social behaviour. Plus a Social media campaignaimed at young people.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, David Lloyd, said: “Although the risk of harm is very low in Hertfordshire we are not immune from national crime trends. Knife crime and serious youth violence has been a top priority for the Constabulary and partner agencies for several years. Progress has been made but the war is not won. Now, through our serious violence strategy, we have a better understanding of what works so everyone can focus on those areas.”  

Inspector Nicola Dean, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crime Reduction Unit who led the campaign, said: “Due to the pandemic, we were unable to hold an amnesty for this Operation Sceptre campaign, but it gave us an opportunity to focus our activities on talking to young people about knife crime and carrying out knife detection operations.

“These weeks of action support the other work we are doing throughout the year in schools, colleges and through our other projects, working with young people. As part of this strategy we are working with our partners in education, local government and social services to educate young people about the potential consequences of carrying a knife.”