18 Oct Operation Sceptre arrives in Essex as officers battle knife crime
Essex Police will be working with its partners to tackle knife crime in Essex this week.
Between Monday, October 17 and Saturday, October 22, officers from across the force will be targeting offenders connected with knife crime as part of a national week of action across the UK known as Operation Sceptre.
Officers and Special Constables from local policing teams, the Operational Support Group and Operation Raptor teams will be executing warrants, carrying out roadside checks and high-visibility patrols and using intelligence-led stop and search powers where appropriate.
They’ll also be working with Trading Standards teams to educate shop owners about the importance of challenging underage customers and selling knives and bladed objects within the law.
The activity is designed to target and disrupt offenders who carry and use knives and other bladed weapons and is part of our ongoing work with partners to tackle crime gang and associated gang activity.
Chief Supt Paul Wells, lead for Operation Sceptre at Essex Police, said: “Essex Police is working with a number of partners this week to target those who are carrying knives and those who are involved in the illegal supply of knives.
“There is no excuse to carry a knife in Essex. Knife crime can have devastating consequences and if you are found illegally in possession of a knife you will be arrested, put before the court and brought to justice.
“This week of activity is part of our ongoing commitment to disrupt criminal gangs and take as many knives and weapons off our streets as possible.
“There are a number of knife amnesty bins, funded by knife awareness charity Only Cowards Carry, in place across the county and I would encourage people to use them and help us keep our county safe.”
Knife amnesty bins can be found Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester police stations and in Jackson Road, Clacton and Chalvedon Square, Pitsea.
